Faunal Analysis

Three assemblages of fallow deer (Dama sp.) bones excavated from the early middle Pleistocene (oxygen isotope stage 18) layers of the Acheulian site of Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov, Israel, furnish evidence of systematic and repeated exploitation of complete carcasses by hominins.
The excellent state of preservation of the bones and the presence of only minimal signs of carnivore involvement permit an investigation of the role of hominins as the primary agents responsible for the damage to these bones. Hominin expertise in dealing with fallow deer carcasses is manifested by cut marks, percussion marks, and hack marks on the bones. The archaeozoological analysis of the anatomical position and
frequency of these marks suggests that carcass processing followed systematic practices that reflect an in-depth knowledge of fallow deer anatomy and a consistent behavioral strategy. These assemblages represent one of the earliest examples of methodological butchering practices in Eurasia. The evidence of carcass processing observed at Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov resembles that seen in late Pleistocene sites in Israel, which were inhabited by modern humans. We interpret the Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov data as indicating that the Acheulian hunters at the site (1) were proficient communicators and learners and (2) possessed anatomical knowledge, considerable manual skill, impressive technological abilities, and foresight.

During the Fall 2014 field season at Fox Farm in Mason County, Kentucky, archaeologists recovered a group of 11 deer mandibles from Feature 119.  All were found in association with a section of a large Madisonville Cordmarked jar.  Based on tooth wear, the mandibles represent a minimum of eight deer ranging in age from four months to 12 years old.  This poster presents data on season of animal death, gnaw and cut mark patterns, and bone condition to determine if the deer were killed at the same time or if they represent animals that were killed over several seasons across one or more years. The jaws and the rim sherd from Feature 119 are interpreted as an offering that post-dates the abandonment of a large Madisonville Horizon house.

The  present  volume,  fourth  in  a  series  of  five  devoted  to  the
Merovingian  hamlet  of  Develier-Courtételle  (Canton  of  Jura,
Switzerland),  presents  environmental  information  obtained
through a series of specialised analyses of material found at this
archaeological site and in its surroundings. The results of these six
distinct approaches are integrated in a final synthesis.
A description of the natural environment of the site enriched with
information from historical sources opens the volume (chap. 1).
Situated within the Delémont basin in north-western Switzerland,
in the central part of the Jura mountain range, Develier-Courtételle
lies  on  a  flood  plain  at  an  altitude  of  450 m.  The  site  covers  a
surface of 3,5 ha and lies on the banks of the brook “La Pran”, in
a lateral valley filled with quaternary sediments dating from the
Würm glacial maximum to the Late Holocene. The sedimentary
approach which follows this introductory chapter is based on a
description of the stratigraphy (chap. 2). The site is divided into
eight different domains and composite stratigraphic cuts are used
to  explain  the  extension  of  the  different  layers.  The  sediments
are  characterised  using  Passega’s  method,  i.e.  the  construction
of  C/M  patterns  of  the  alluvial  deposits.  This  analysis  permits
us  to  propose  a  reconstruction  of  the  palaeogeography  of  the
site, including some observations on the nature of the soils. The
palaeo-hydrological  and  climatic  fluctuations  occurring  locally
between 500 and 800 AD are also described. Additional relevant
data  are  provided  by  an  “off-site”  sedimentological  analysis
undertaken at Delémont, La Communance (chap. 3). It provides
a palustrine sequence dating from the 6th to the 11th century and
documenting the evolution of the local hydrology.
The  three  following  chapters  present  the  archaeobotanical
approaches. The pollen analysis documents the changing landscape
around  the  site  and  the  use  of  the  land  by  the  Early  Medieval
population (chap. 4). The study of seeds and fruit reveals the large
spectrum of plant species that were cultivated during this period
(chap.  5).  The  vegetational  landscape  surrounding  the  site  and
the human impact on it can be reconstructed from the remains of
wild plants. A geobotanical approach is used to deduce the spatial
distribution of woodlands and fields around the site during the
7th century by looking at modern vegetation (chap. 6). The last
analysis presented in this volume is the study of the faunal remains
recovered in and around the settlement which reveal the dietary
choices made by the inhabitants (chap. 7). The varying frequency
and age at death of the different species of domesticates say much
about animal husbandry during the Merovingian period. The rare
remains of hunted wild animals were also identified.
The concluding synthesis is divided into three thematic sections
(chap. 8). The climatic context and the evolution of the landscape
during  the  Early  Medieval  period  are  the  subject  of  the  first
section.  A  short  summary  of  current  knowledge  introduces
the  chronological  reconstitution  of  events  deduced  from  the
preceding analyses. At Develier-Courtételle, hydrological activity
is quite sustained before 550. Forest cover is still relatively dense
and actually expanded during Late Antiquity. From 550 to 750,
the hydrological activity at the site becomes very intense, peaking
around 580 and 650. At La Communance, the hydrological balance
is at this time in surplus. From the beginning of this phase, forest
cover diminishes ; this clearance was caused by the intensification
of  agriculture  and  the  appearance  of  ironworking.  As  a  result,
erosion  cuts  ravines  into  the  slopes.  Several  factors  indicate  a
cool  and  possibly  wet  phase  affecting  the  whole  region  which
correlates well with data from other studies. The period between
700 and 830-890 appears to be a transition towards a somewhat
dryer climate, a decrease of hydrological activity persisting after
800  could  be  observed  on  the  site.  At  La  Communance,  the
hydrological balance becomes negative only after the middle or
towards the end of the 9th century. Forest cover does not vary to
any major extent. The climate continues to improve between 830-890 and 1000 : several swamps and marshes in the region appear
to have experienced a negative hydrological balance during this
time and superficial sediments undergo pedogenesis. The rupture
of the landscape equilibrium occurring during the later Middle
Ages  is  thought  to  be  due  to  the  increasing  impact  of  human
activity, in particular ironworking.
The second theme of the synthesis is the landscape surrounding
the settlement during the 7th century. A pictorial reconstruction
allows us to conclude that the divisions of the territory are largely
based  on  the  meanders  of  the  stream.  To  the  inhabitants,  the
advantages of being close to the water necessary for various craft
activities  clearly  outweighed  the  real  risks  posed  by  flooding.
The  marshy  surfaces  directly  abutting  on  the  settlement  were
good  pasture  but  not  useful  for  agriculture ;  the  fields  were
situated somewhat further away. The transition from cultivated
land  to  forest  occurred  gradually  and  gave  the  landscape  a
structured appearance. The forest, dominated by beech and pine,
is  transformed  by  the  selective  exploitation  of  plant  resources.
It too is used for pasture.
A  discussion  of  available  resources  and  land  use  closes  the
volume. The stream could not have been used for transporting
cargo. Used land surfaces included fields, pastures and grasslands.
Cereals and legumes were the primary crops, oily or fibrous plants
were of secondary importance and fruit and vegetables appear to
have formed only a relatively minor source of food. Supplying the
needs of the settlement seems to have been the principal goal of
these activities, a characteristic of subsistence agriculture. Textile
production  occurred  but  was  not  very  extensive.  The  forests
and hedges are a source of timber, but particularly of firewood.
Among the domestic animals, cattle are dominant and seem to
have mostly been raised for meat, a part of which may have been
exported. Goats and especially sheep are the next most important
group according to the bone counts. The pigs are in third position
but were actually in second place in terms of meat production.
Fowl,  mostly  chicken,  were  principally  kept  for  the  eggs.  The
diverse wild fauna was nutritionally a very minor factor but is a
good indicator of the natural environment surrounding the site.
The presence of deer and bear speaks of nearby biotopes not yet
disturbed by human activity.

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.

Full report of the excavation at Fool Chief's Village (14SH305). Chapters include historical background, environmental setting, previous investigations, geoarcheological investigations, feature descriptions, artifact analysis, bead analysis, pipestone, faunal analysis, mussel shell analysis, floral analysis, summary, and conclusions.