Animal Remains

Archaeological data are most commonly applied towards understanding past human activities. However, these data can include environmental information such as animal and plant remains which offer insight into past environmental history. This paper outlines general introductory principles of environmental applications in archaeology, including the character of archaeological data, the preservation of environmental remains, and problems of interpretation arising from the “cultural filter” through which these remains necessarily have passed. We conclude by noting problems and prospects in environmental archaeology, leading to two case studies which demonstrate the value and potential of archaeological analyses to the reconstruction of past ecosystems. The first case study explores the period of European contact in Gwaii Haanas (Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia), a time characterized by rapid and substantial environmental changes. In particular, archaeological evidence is described that relates to the extirpation of the sea otter during the maritime fur trade and the resulting impact on ecologically related species such as abalone, sea urchin, and kelp dependent fish. The second case study examines prehistoric fish use in the Aleutian Islands. Specifically, size reconstruction of Pacific cod specimens recovered from Aleut archaeological sites shows the harvesting of fish that exceed the size of those commonly encountered by modern commercial fisheries. Together, these case studies demonstrate that archaeological analysis can provide a picture of the past environment that is not readily available through other sources of data.

RESUMO Apresenta-se o estudo das faunas recolhidas no decorrer da intervenção nos edifícios existentes no Beco do Forno do Castelo, nº 14-20. Apesar da reduzida dimensão da amostra, foi possível, através do espólio cerâmico recuperado, datar o conjunto do período Romano Republicano. Registou-se a presença de mamíferos, sendo a maioria domésticos, como a ovelha (Ovis aries) ou a cabra (Capra hircus), gado bovino (Bos sp.) e os suínos (Sus sp.), existindo, contudo, também a presença de animais de selvagens, como o veado (Cervus elaphus). Apesar de o objecto de estudo ser apenas a fauna mamalógica, observou-se a presença de moluscos, registando-se elementos de ostra (Ostrea edulis), amêijoa (Ruditapes decussatus) e berbigão (Cerastoderma edule). Com este estudo conseguimos ter uma pequena amostra de como seria a dieta alimentar praticada neste estabelecimento militar romano. Palavras-chave: faunas; mamíferos; zooarqueologia.

Multidimensional scaling (MDS) has been previously applied successfully to the analysis of artifact assemblages from archaeological contexts. Despite the suitability of archaeological faunal data to such analysis, MDS has not been applied to faunal data. In this study, MDS analysis was applied to 21 faunal assemblages from 14 Graham Tradition sites in the Kunghit region of southern Haida Gwaii. A separation of salmon-dominated and rockfish-dominated assemblages provided the strongest result of this analysis, strengthening previous interpretations made for these data. Additionally, MDS analysis revealed functional and regional variability that had not been previously identified. Functionality was reflected in the separation of differing site types, while regional distribution of resources was also highlighted by the analysis. These results contribute to an understanding of Kunghit Haida subsistence and settlement while demonstrating the utility of MDS for faunal analysis.

ABSTRACT

The excavation of the Abri des Autours, a rock-shelter located in southern Belgium, enabled the discovery of three human burials, two dated to the Early Mesolithic and a third dated to the Middle Neolithic. In addition to the human bones, more than 200 faunal remains were uncovered. A taphonomic analysis was undertaken to determine whether their presence resulted from anthropogenic activities and whether they are linked to the burials. Two assemblages were distinguished. The majority of the fauna corresponds to remains of animals found scattered throughout the cave, including in the Mesolithic levels. These are mainly portions of carcasses brought in to the rockshelter by scavengers or predators. Therefore, their deposition did not result from human activity. Thus far, no animal bone had been found in direct association with Mesolithic burials in Belgium, and this site conforms to that pattern. Moreover, this interpretation corroborates the archaeological study, which did not uncover any traces of domestic activity in the cave, during either the Mesolithic or the Neolithic. On the other hand, several bone artefacts, including various tools and a pendant, were also identified. With the exception of an isolated artefact, all of these were clearly associated with the Middle Neolithic burial (Michelsberg culture). This is only the fourth Neolithic cave burial to have yielded animal bone artefacts in Belgium. A preliminary micro-wear analysis has confirmed that these objects had been used before being deposited and has allowed us to propose several hypotheses concerning their original use.
RÉSUMÉ

Industrie osseuse et faune intrusive dans les sépultures préhistoriques de l'Abri des Autours.

La fouille de l'Abri des Autours, un abri-sous-roche situé dans le sud de la Belgique, a permis la découverte de trois sépultures humaines, dont deux attribuées au Mésolithique ancien et une au Néolithique moyen. Outre les ossements humains, plus de 200 restes fauniques ont été mis au jour. Une analyse taphonomique a été entreprise afin de déterminer si leur présence résulte d'activités anthropiques et s'ils sont liés aux sépultures. Deux ensembles ont ainsi été distingués. La majorité de la faune correspond en realite a des restes d'animaux retrouves eparpilles dans la grotte, y compris dans les niveaux mesolithiques. Il s'agit principalement d'elements de carcasses d'animaux apportes dans l'abri-sous-roche par des animaux charognards ou predateurs. Leur depot ne resulte donc pas d'activites humaines. Jusqu'a present, aucun reste animal n'a ete retrouve en association directe avec des sepultures mesolithiques en Belgique, ce que ce site confirme. Par ailleurs, cette interpretation corrobore l'etude archeologique qui n'a pas mis en evidence de temoins d'activites domestiques dans la grotte, que ce soit pour le Mesolithique ou le Neolithique. D'autre part, plusieurs objets en matiere animale comprenant divers outils et un pendentif ont ete identifies. A l'exception d'un artefact hors contexte, tous etaient clairement associes a la sepulture du Neolithique moyen (culture Michelsberg). Ce n'est que la quatrieme sepulture neolithique en grotte ayant livre des depots d'artefacts en matiere animale en Belgique. Une etude traceologique preliminaire a confirme que ces objets avaient ete utilises avant leur depot et a permis de proposer quelques hypotheses quant a leur utilisation originelle.