Paleontology
In Gatecliff Rockshelter, the excavators recovered over 51,000 animal bones. Donald K. Grayson identified and analyzed approximately 13,000 bones and teeth of small mammals. Due to the nature of the rock shelter and the lack of taphonomic knowledge, Grayson argued that the processes that produced this massive collection of bones could not be determined. It could be a result of human activities, other animals, and natural processes. These small mammals include rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, gophers, rats, voles, mice, dogs, and coyotes; only two of the taxa found at Gatecliff are absent from the present Toquima-Monitor area.
Large mammal remains represent the bulk of the bones found at Gatecliff. Roughly 90% of the bones came from the bighorn sheep, a major prey of high-altitude hunters. Other large mammals include pronghorn, elk, and bison.
On a smaller scale, approximately 500 elements of amphibians and reptiles were recovered. The amphibians and reptiles at the rock shelter include owls, falcons, trout, lizards, toads, and snakes.
Read more about this topic: Gatecliff Rockshelter