Literature type: Scientific
Journal: Quaternary International
Volume: 626-627 , Pages: 22-32
DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2020.10.022
Language:
English
Full reference: Lloveras, L., Garcia, L., Marqueta, M., Maroto, J., Soler, J. & Soler, N. 2022. The role of birds in Upper Palaeolithic sites: Zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis of the avian remains from Arbreda Cave (Seriny`a,northeast Iberia). Quaternary International 626-627: 22-32 https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2020.10.022
Keywords: avian remains, small prey, subsistence, Iberian peninsula, Upper palaeolithic, Taphonomy
Abstract:
Intensification in the procurement of small game, including different taxa of birds, has been proposed as one of the indicators of dietary shifts occurring in western Mediterranean regions during the Upper Palaeolithic as a consequence of both increased human hunting pressures and environmental change. In this paper, avian remains recovered from the Upper Palaeolithic levels of Arbreda Cave (Serinyà, northeast Iberia) are analysed. Our results evidence a high diversity of bird taxa in most levels, with the presence of a minimum of 50 species, including birds that inhabit a variety of biotopes such as cliffs, rivers and wetlands, and open grassland, along with coniferous and mixed forests. Taphonomic analysis of the bird bones from all levels indicates a mixed origin for the material, humans being one of the agents responsible for the accumulations. The results show that birds were caught for consumption. However, wing feathers and phalanges were also extracted, probably for ornamental or ceremonial purposes. A significant number of tooth/beak-marked bones and digested remains also evidence the participation of different species of raptors and, to a lesser degree, of small terrestrial carnivores in creating these assemblages. Finally, some birds died naturally and were then incorporated into the archaeological record. This study contributes to the discussion of the importance of the exploitation of birds by hunter-gatherers during the Upper Palaeolithic in the region.
Literature type: Scientific
Journal: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology
Volume: 24 , Pages: 365–377
DOI: 10.1002/oa.2367
Language:
English
Full reference: Gotfredsen, A.B. 2013. Birds in subsistence and culture at viking age sites in Denmark. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 24: 365–377 https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1002/oa.2367
Keywords: Denmark, wildfowling, falconry, status, symbolic significance, domestic fowl, Viking Age
Abstract:
This paper reviews the evidence for consumption and use of birds at Danish Viking Age sites. The presence and diversity of wild and domestic bird species were studied on the basis of the avian material retrieved from sites representing a wide range of different habitats covering a period from the Late Germanic Iron Age to early medieval times (ca 5th–12th centuries AD). A large diversity of at least 20 avian families with more than 60 taxa in addition to domestic fowl was documented. Although variation in species diversity and abundance in the assemblages were influenced by recovery methods, some genuine differences emerged regarding site type as well as topographical and geographic variation. Marked differences among avian species within certain bird families were revealed; herons (Ardeidae), birds of prey (Accipitridae), cranes (Gruidae), tetraonids (Tetraonidae) and waders (Scolopacidae) occurred more commonly at certain categories of sites such as high-status manorial and early urban sites. The usage of eagle feathers was evidenced by cut marks on eagle wing bones and falconry was documented at a few high-status sites.
Number of results: 2