Date preliminare asupra exploatării animalelor în așezarea Cernavodă I de la Radovanu – Gorgana I (jud. Călărași). Campaniile 2010–2012
Journal Title: MATERIALE SI CERCETARI ARHEOLOGICE - Year 2016, Vol 0, Issue 0
Abstract
The paper deals with the animal bones from the point Gorgana I near Radovanu village, Călăraşi County. The sample is not too large, it comprises 636 bones, of which 433 fragments from a waste pit (Gr. 11). The rest was gathered from three dwellings (Loc. 2, 3, 9), an annex (Loc. 5) and other six pits (Gr. 6, 7, 12, 15, 16, 23). The skulls and several long bones of two dogs were recovered from pit no. 11. A third specimen was apparently thrown in the same pit, just a few broken bones being preserved from this skeleton. Houses provided few bones, as well as most pits (Table 1). Tables 2‐4 contain data of the body parts distribution, based on their food value. The skull (fleshless ‐ class A) totals no more than 12–13%, regardless of species (Fig. 1). The class B (spine, ribs) is better represented in the case of cattle (24%), caprids, pig and red deer (31%). Few distal elements of the limbs (meatless ‐ classes E, F, G) were reported in the case of small ruminants (12%) and pig (6%). A higher estimate was done for cattle and red deer (35%). The reduced rate of pig, sheep and goat distal extremities is caused by either metapodials processing, or bones scattering throughout the area. Or, they simply came into the pits as unidentifiable splinters. In the case of pig, the metapodials being unfit for processing, they could have been lost or eaten by humans or dogs. The prevalence of the fleshy parts (classes C, D) is recognized in case of ovicaprids (43%) and pig (50%). Instead, they represent only 29% in case of cattle and 21% of the red deer. Being large items, most of them were thrown in the household pits. Few remains present cut and processing marks, just two worked tibias from a pig and a sheep Fig. 2/a, c), and another one, maybe from cattle (Fig. 2/b). A sheep talus with both lateral sides polished and some fine cut marks (skinning) was found in pit no. 23. About 198 bones (37.36%) from sheep/goat were identified, 66 of which belonged to sheep, 42 to goats and 90 with no clear assignment. As minimum number of individuals (MNI) they total 24.44%, ranking first among species. Based on complete bones it was estimated a60.49–76.76 cm variation at the withers, with an average of 68.24 cm for goat and 60.3–75.55 cm, mean 68.18 cm, for sheep (Fig. 3–4). The other measurements reinforce a much more robust goat and sheep than the Neolithic ones (Table 5). We wonder if possibly a migrant community settled at Radovanu, or at least a part of the flocks entered from the North‐Pontic steppes, with human migrations. Eleven individuals presumed according to dentition, of which four goats, five sheep and two not specified (Fig. 8, 9). The infants‐juveniles/ sub‐adults/ adults‐matures report is 45.5/ 18.1/ 36.4%, suggesting important slaughtering up to one year and more rare during the second. The mutton from younger specimens was preferred, and to a lesser extent from the sub‐adults, in order to protect the flock. About one third of the identified specimens reached an advanced stage, for milking.Cattle rank second as fragments (35.85%) and third as individuals (15.55%). No metapodials were found to provide information on cattle withers height. For that reason “we tested” the Atanassov, Vasilev, Tsonev (1980) method to estimate the stature according the width of metapodial ends. Roughly values of 117–126 cm on metacarpals, and 122 cm on metatarsals were estimated. The study of dentition suggests intensive slaughtering ofthe sub‐adult (57.14%), moderate of the juvenile (28.57%) and more rare of the mature specimens (14.29%). The age‐classes based on teeth confirm the statistics of the long‐bones fusion. Accordingly, one third is the proportion of the adults, 10.6% that of juveniles, prevailing the sub‐adults. Themeat was obtained mainly from individuals aged between 1 and 4, and only a small number of them were preserved for by‐products and work. The pig ranks third as fragments (17.73%), its bones belonging to eight specimens (17.78%). Pig kept in the area was pretty tall but not too massive. A complete metacarpal III of 75.5 mm provided an increased size, 78 cm. After correlated long‐bone fusion age profiles with dentition, eight specimens were presumed, of which 37.5% were slaughtered up to one year, equally between 1–2 years, and 25% at higher ages. The pit no. 11 provided two dog skulls and some long bones from three dog skeletons. The first skull (Fig. 5), a couple of humeri, femurs, one ulna originate in a medium‐sized specimen of 48.4 cm. The cranium is well‐proportioned according to the cranium‐facial report, with a value of 1.05; the forehead line is almost flat, sagittal crest poorly developed, nuchal projection slightly pulled back, orbits large and close. The cephalic index, with a value of 66.88 is ranked towards the upper limit of the mesocephalic type, so, a moderately broad and long skull is concerned. The second skull (Fig. 6), a couple of humeri, distal tibiae, and an ulna originate in a small specimen, of 42.28 cm stature. Reviewing interspecies frequencies, the following would summarize: hunting was not a common practice, it was occasionally done. Red and roe deer, wild boar, aurochs, boar, otter, badger, wolf (Fig. 7), brown bear were captured. As number of fragments, domestic segment prevails in a proportion of 91.69% versus wildlife, with 8.31%. In terms of the minimum number of individuals, the rate of domestic animal decreases at 66.67% versus 33.33%, the wildlife. Before setting the first Neolithic communities, the pollen analysis showed that there were reduced forested areas; the milieu rather belonged to steppe domain, the pollen of threes representing only 13%. Forest contained oak, elm and linden. Beech and hazelnut were rarities. Apparently, the valleys flanking the site were not too wet, as the alder and willow pollen was reduced. In that forest‐steppe environment, agriculture was little practiced. Perhaps the milieu during Cernavoda I settlement did not differ too much from the previous period, as confirmed by faunal composition. In this context, the faunal spectrum indicates a small percentage of reed deer, about 5.5%, dropping by 2–2.5% versus the Neolithic habitation from the point La Muscalu. Deforestation accentuated the steppe feature of the environment during Cernavoda I habitation. The small ruminants dominate the statistics with 37.36% (as fragments), followed by cattle with 35.85%, and pig (17.73%). To a degree, the habitat played an important role to switch the economy towards their breeding. It is worth mentioning the overrepresentation of the goat among small ruminants, somewhat unusual for the Late Eneolithic sites. Pretty easy to feed, in a less prosperous animal economy of the Radovanu communities, goats were covering dairy and meat requirements. The pig husbandry was not specific to them either, even though its maintenance was easy and convenient. Mention must be made of the fact that, during the Neolithic habitation at Radovanu, the pigs amounted to about 27% and caprids only 20%. Dogs total 0.75% of the bones; there is no evidence for its consumption. To be noted the absence of horse bones, rare but steady occurrence in that epoch. Besides husbandry and hunting, the community occasionally gathered shells and fished. Unfortunately, this type of remains is not significant in our sample.
Authors and Affiliations
Georgeta El Susi
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Date preliminare asupra exploatării animalelor în așezarea Cernavodă I de la Radovanu – Gorgana I (jud. Călărași). Campaniile 2010–2012
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