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Using morphometric characteristics of modern salmonid (Oncorhynchus spp.) vertebrae, we have developed classification models to identify salmonid vertebrae to the species level with relatively low error rates. This is a study to validate the performance of our classification models on ancient salmonid specimens using analysis of ancient DNA. We have putatively identified a sample of ancient (ca. 1000 to 2900 ybp) vertebrae (from the Wenatchee River basin) to species with our models. Using molecular markers to identify the ancient vertebrae to species, we will be able to evaluate the performance of our models that use vertebral morphology for species identification. If identification methods that are based on vertebral morphology perform successfully, we will have a rapid, low cost, nondestructive method to identify ancient salmonid vertebrae. If applied to midden sites throughout the Columbia River basin, and potentially to other river systems draining into the Pacific Ocean, we will improve our understanding of historical anadromous salmonid occupancy and have a more complete picture of historical population and ESU structure. Additionally, the results of this work have the potential to make a significant contribution to inland and coastal anthropological/archaeological investigations. Collaborators include: Virginia Butler (Portland State University, Dept. of Anthropology), Harriet Huber (AFSC), and Dongya Yang (Simon Fraser University, Ancient DNA Laboratory) ancient vertebrae