Osteological research on material from Pohansko – Southern Bailey (1991–1994): Comparison with the early medieval sites

Pohansko archaeological site is situated 2 km south of Břeclav. Analysed animal bones were obtained from the Southern Bailey between 1991–1994. The domestic fauna predominate and the game animals are present only sporadically. If it wasn´t possible to determinate the species of animal, the size class was chosen. All parts of animal skeletons occurrred in excavated area. Long bones and their fragments and loose teeth from the lower jaw predominated, fragments of the lower jaw and fingers occurred less frequently. The height at withers of ox (105,9 cm) and pig (71,6 cm) indicates the presence of adult specimens. Study of metacarpal and metatarsal bones of the ox shows on predominance of female specimens.Pohansko archaeological site is situated 2 km south of Břeclav. Analysed animal bones were obtained from the Southern Bailey between 1991–1994. The domestic fauna predominate and the game animals are present only sporadically. If it wasn´t possible to determinate the species of animal, the size class was chosen. All parts of animal skeletons occurrred in excavated area. Long bones and their fragments and loose teeth from the lower jaw predominated, fragments of the lower jaw and fingers occurred less frequently. The height at withers of ox (105,9 cm) and pig (71,6 cm) indicates the presence of adult specimens. Study of metacarpal and metatarsal bones of the ox shows on predominance of female specimens

Isotope record of the first lower molars of domestic cattle from the early medieval Pohansko-Southern bailey and Kostice-”Zadní hrúd” localities (Czech Republic)

In this essay, we focused on the evaluation of isotope analyses (δ13Ccoll and δ15Ncoll) of the first lower molars (m1) of domestic cattle (Bostaurus) from two early medieval Pohansko-Southern bailey (Pohansko-JP) and Kostice-”Zadní hrúd” (Kostice-ZH) sites. The aim of the study is the evidence of the breast-feeding effect of calves and subsequent weaning on the dentine average isotope  composition. Results from both sites are compared with the data obtained from recent experimental cattle breeding. Possible differences in the cattle breeding between both studied localities are evaluated. The first lower molars of the domestic cattle (n = 15) were selected for analyses from both sites supplemented by a sample of the compact bone of the shinbone of an adult individual from the Pohansko-JP site. The determination of the ontogenetic age of the analyzed individuals is based on the dentition development stage. For the purpose of isotope analyzes (δ13Ccoll and δ15Ncoll), dentine collagen was extracted from all tooth crowns. The δ13Ccoll dentine values of the m1 of cattle from the Pohansko-JP ranged from -17.75‰ to -21.8‰ (n = 11) with mean value of -19.81 ± 1.03‰. δ15Ncoll values for dentine of all m1 samples from Pohansko-JP range from 6.2‰ to 11.87‰ with mean value of 8.29 ± 1.71‰ (n = 11). The highest δ15Ncoll values were observed primarily in samples of juvenile individuals, with the exception of one adult specimen (10.90 ‰). δ13Ccoll values in m1 of adult individuals from the Kostice-ZH site range from -19.30‰ to -20.91‰ (n = 4). The mean value -19.83 ± 1.01‰ is lower if compared to results from recent experimental breedings. The volume of 15N isotope is significantly lower contrary to those in Pohansko-JP and aforementioned experimental study. It can be assumed that the diet of the cattle in both studied sites was primarily based on C3 plants; however, we cannot exclude a small admixture of C4 plants (millet) in the diet of some observed individuals. The cattle from the Pohansko-JP could be driven to graze from the open meadows up to the ecotones in the vicinity of the forest which is partly supported by the palaeobotanic record. In Kostice-ZH site, the grazing in open meadows was most prevalent. The volume of 15N from the Pohansko-JP site shows that in most cases, calves were not prematurely weaned. In samples from Kostice-ZH, the 15N content in adult individuals was significantly lower contrary to values from Pohansko-JP. A present stage of the knowledge indicates that the cattle (i. e., including mother cows) was probably fed plants characterized by low δ15N values; however, a premature weaning to increase the milk production cannot be excluded.In this essay, we focused on the evaluation of isotope analyses (δ13Ccoll and δ15Ncoll) of the first lower molars (m1) of domestic cattle (Bostaurus) from two early medieval Pohansko-Southern bailey (Pohansko-JP) and Kostice-”Zadní hrúd” (Kostice-ZH) sites. The aim of the study is the evidence of the breast-feeding effect of calves and subsequent weaning on the dentine average isotope  composition. Results from both sites are compared with the data obtained from recent experimental cattle breeding. Possible differences in the cattle breeding between both studied localities are evaluated. The first lower molars of the domestic cattle (n = 15) were selected for analyses from both sites supplemented by a sample of the compact bone of the shinbone of an adult individual from the Pohansko-JP site. The determination of the ontogenetic age of the analyzed individuals is based on the dentition development stage. For the purpose of isotope analyzes (δ13Ccoll and δ15Ncoll), dentine collagen was extracted from all tooth crowns. The δ13Ccoll dentine values of the m1 of cattle from the Pohansko-JP ranged from -17.75‰ to -21.8‰ (n = 11) with mean value of -19.81 ± 1.03‰. δ15Ncoll values for dentine of all m1 samples from Pohansko-JP range from 6.2‰ to 11.87‰ with mean value of 8.29 ± 1.71‰ (n = 11). The highest δ15Ncoll values were observed primarily in samples of juvenile individuals, with the exception of one adult specimen (10.90 ‰). δ13Ccoll values in m1 of adult individuals from the Kostice-ZH site range from -19.30‰ to -20.91‰ (n = 4). The mean value -19.83 ± 1.01‰ is lower if compared to results from recent experimental breedings. The volume of 15N isotope is significantly lower contrary to those in Pohansko-JP and aforementioned experimental study. It can be assumed that the diet of the cattle in both studied sites was primarily based on C3 plants; however, we cannot exclude a small admixture of C4 plants (millet) in the diet of some observed individuals. The cattle from the Pohansko-JP could be driven to graze from the open meadows up to the ecotones in the vicinity of the forest which is partly supported by the palaeobotanic record. In Kostice-ZH site, the grazing in open meadows was most prevalent. The volume of 15N from the Pohansko-JP site shows that in most cases, calves were not prematurely weaned. In samples from Kostice-ZH, the 15N content in adult individuals was significantly lower contrary to values from Pohansko-JP. A present stage of the knowledge indicates that the cattle (i. e., including mother cows) was probably fed plants characterized by low δ15N values; however, a premature weaning to increase the milk production cannot be excluded

Farewell to the ‘childhood of man’: ritual, seasonality, and the origins of inequality

Evidence of grand burials and monumental construction is a striking feature in the archaeological record of the Upper Palaeolithic period, between 40 and 10 kya (thousand years ago). Archaeologists often interpret such finds as indicators of rank and hierarchy among Pleistocene hunter-gatherers. Interpretations of this kind are difficult to reconcile with the view, still common in sociobiology, that pre-agricultural societies were typically egalitarian in orientation. Here we develop an alternative model of ‘Palaeolithic politics’, which emphasizes the ability of hunter-gatherers to alternate – consciously and deliberately – between contrasting modes of political organization, including a variety of hierarchical and egalitarian possibilities. We propose that alternations of this sort were an emergent property of human societies in the highly seasonal environments of the last Ice Age. We further consider some implications of the model for received concepts of social evolution, with particular attention to the distinction between ‘simple’ and ‘complex’ hunter-gatherers

The animal bones from settlement at Vedrovice

The animal bones from some objects from the settlement of the linear ceramics culture from Vedrovice was studied

Archeozoological analysis of finds from an excavation of the town fortification moat (?) in Šumperk

Bones from fortification moat were analysed. The moat was dated to 15. – 17. Century. Here were found bones from domestic and wild animals. The most remains belong to animals which were breed for meal, milk and wool

Burial rite of hunter DV 16 from paleontology and palaeoethnology point view

During the archaeological research, which was made at the locality Dolní Věstonice was uncovered a recessed hut. Compared to the rest of settlement the animals from this object are remarkably distinguishing. The bones of foxes, hares and wolves are closely concetrated to each other, so it seems that they were mostly in the anatomic position and that they are belonging to one individual. In addition these bones are constituing noticeable accumulations around the body of deceased. All animals were hunted in the early spring (February-April), which is resulting from the analysis of the seasonal increaments of the cementum on the roots of teeth. It seems that these animals were probably given to the deceased man, so they could indirectly show the time period of the hunter’s burial

Animals from selected structures in Vedrovice (Linear pottery, Neolithic)

The animal bones from some objects from the settlement of the linear ceramics culture from Vedrovice was studied. The research included osteological, osteometrical, taphonomical and palaeopathological analyses

Faunal remains from Gravettian localities

Faunal remains were studied from Gravettian localities from Dolní Věstonice (DV II and DV III), Pavlov, Předmostí, Jarošov and Spytihněv

Analýza zvířecích kostí z epigravettienské lokality Brno-Štýřice III, výzkumné sezóny 2012–2014

V letech 2009 a 2011–2014 proběhl záchranný archeologický výzkum epigravettienské lokality Brno-Štýřice III, známé od roku 1972 jako Koněvova či Vídeňská. Vedle kamenné industrie byl při výzkumu nacházen i zvířecí osteologický materiál, který je postupně analyzován a publikován. Zvířecí kosti získané výzkumy v letech 2012–2014 jsou hlavním tématem předloženého článku. Byla provedena jejich druhová determinace a určen minimální počet jedinců (MNI), nicméně vysoká fragmentárnost kostí, způsobená částečně i jejich užíváním jako paliva, determinaci komplikovala. Součástí jsou také výsledky izotopových analýz C, N a Sr a analýza sezonality. Zjištěné druhové složení fauny s dominancí mamuta srstnatého naznačuje chladné glaciální klima, tento výsledek podporují i analýzy izotopů C a N. Plošná distribuce zvířecích kostí odpovídá hlavním koncentracím kamenné štípané industrie, několik tisíc přepálených drobných fragmentů kostí kumulovaných na malé ploše jasně dokládá paleolitické ohniště. Jednotlivé výsledky včetně radiokarbonového datování a rozboru kamenné štípané industrie kladou pozici lokality do samého závěru posledního glaciálního maxima