A case of cynophagy at Radovanu – Gorgana a doua settlement, Călăraşi County (2nd–1st centuries BC)
Journal Title: MATERIALE SI CERCETARI ARHEOLOGICE - Year 2018, Vol 0, Issue 0
Abstract
Zooarchaeological study of the faunal remains unearthed at Radovanu during the 2016 field season from three pits (P.1, P.7 and P.8), revealed the presence of dog bones displaying traces of anthropogenic disarticulation, defleshing and burning. Of the 68 dog skeletal remains, 20 exhibit such anthropogenic traces. The minimum number of individuals (MNI) represented by the 68 remains is four, all of them adults, of which two individuals produced the 20 remains with anthropogenic modifications. The average withers height of these animals is 56.5 cm based on the Koudelka index (52.9–58.0 cm; N = 6) or 57.4 cm based on the Harcourt index (55.7–58.9 cm; N = 6). Estimates of the gracility index, on average 7.09 (6.68–7.85; N = 5), indicates that medium size dogs (between 50 and 60 cm) of average robustness (diaphyseal index = 6.6–8.9) were present at Radovanu. The case of the Radovanu cynophagy is unique, today, in the Romanian zooarchaeological context. However, observations made more than 20 years ago might suggest that this phenomenon existed in the Geto‐Dacian world if we consider only the degree of fragmentation and the burning traces observed in the case of the dog remains. Now, the cut marks found on the Radovanu dog bones provide irrefutable evidence that the species was, indeed, consumed by the Geto‐Dacian population. Studiul arheozoologic al faunei de la Radovanu care provine din campania de cercetări arheologice din anul 2016 a evidențiat existența unor oase de câine cu urme antropice de dezarticulare, descărnare și ardere descoperite în trei gropi (Gr. 1, Gr. 7 și Gr. 8). Dintre cele 68 resturi de câine determinate specific, 20 prezintă astfel de urme antropice. Numărul minim de indivizi cărora le‐au aparținut aceste resturi (68) este de cel puțin patru, toți adulți, iar dintre aceștia doi au fost consumați (20 de resturi prezintă stigmate antropice). Talia acestor animale are o valoare de 56,5 cm după Koudelka (N = 6, limite 52,9–58 cm) sau de 57,4 cm după Harcourt (N = 6; limite 55,7–58,9 cm). De asemenea, estimarea indicelui de gracilitate care are o valoare medie de 7,09 (N = 5; limite 6,68–7,85) ne permite să concluzionăm că la Radovanu existau câini de talie medie (între 50 și 60 cm) și cu o robustețe medie (indice diafizar între 6,6–8,9). Cazul cynofagiei de la Radovanu este unic în acest moment în peisajul arheozoologic românesc. Totuşi, observaţii formulate în urmă cu mai bine de 20 de ani ar fi putut sugera că acest fenomen exista în lumea geto‐dacică numai dacă ne gândim la fragmentaritatea şi urmele de ardere observate în cazul oaselor de câine. În prezent, urmele de tăiere ale câinilor de la Radovanu sunt de necontestat, fapt care ne arată că specia era consumată.
Authors and Affiliations
Adrian Bălășescu, Alexandru Morintz
Keywords
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A case of cynophagy at Radovanu – Gorgana a doua settlement, Călăraşi County (2nd–1st centuries BC)
Zooarchaeological study of the faunal remains unearthed at Radovanu during the 2016 field season from three pits (P.1, P.7 and P.8), revealed the presence of dog bones displaying traces of anthropogenic disarticulation,...