Cattle management in an Iron Age/Roman settlement in the Netherlands: Archaeozoological and stable isotope analysis

Groot, M.J.; Albarella, Umberto; Eger, Jana; Evans, Jane

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0258234

Cited by 14 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Despite its demonstrated potential, however, stable isotope analysis has been used very sparingly in Dutch zooarchaeological studies with only a recent increase in its application [e.g. 54 – 56 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hunting before herding: A zooarchaeological and stable isotopic study of suids (Sus sp.) at Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the Netherlands (5450–4250 cal BC)

et al. 2022

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Suids (Sus sp.) played a crucial role in the transition to farming in northern Europe and, like in many regions, in the Netherlands pig husbandry became an important subsistence activity at Neolithic sites. Yet little is known about wild boar palaeoecology and hunting in the Late Mesolithic Netherlands with which to contextualize this transition. This paper presents the first multi-proxy analysis of archaeological suid remains in the Netherlands. It explores human-suid interactions at the Swifterbant culture sites of Hardinxveld-Giessendam Polderweg and De Bruin (5450–4250 BC) through biometric analysis, estimation of age-at-death, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. The results reveal targeted hunting of adult wild boar in the Late Mesolithic (5450–4850 BC), with a possible shift over time towards more juveniles. The wild boar in this period are demonstrated to be of comparably large size to contemporary northern European populations and exhibiting a wide range of dietary regimes. In the final occupational period (4450–4250 BC), small suids are present, possibly domestic pigs, but there is no evidence of pig management. This study demonstrates that the nature of human-suid interactions varied over time, which may have been connected to changing environmental conditions, human mobility, and wild boar behaviour. This study also contributes the first biometric and dietary baseline for mid-Holocene wild boar in the Netherlands.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hunting before herding: A zooarchaeological and stable isotopic study of suids (Sus sp.) at Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the Netherlands (5450–4250 cal BC)

et al. 2022

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“…In the case of bovids, they will allow an approach to the understanding of day-to-day livestock management, including aspects such as the importance of dairy farming, the determination of the calf birthing season, and the provision of fodder. These studies will combine archaeological and archaeobotanical data with multi-isotope analyses (Groot et al 2021). Research into the exploitation of animal resources in the Iron Age with modern analytical techniques is taking its first steps in Western Iberia, and this contribution aims to stimulate more and better research in this study area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zooarchaeology of the Iron Age in Western Iberia: new insights from the Celtic oppidum of Ulaca

Estaca-Gómez

Hernández

Gómez-Hernández

et al. 2022

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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The Vettones were one of the most important Celtic peoples of the Late Iron Age in Western Iberia (between the Duero and Tagus Rivers). It is a period recognised from the spread of the cremation ritual in the cemeteries, the development of iron metallurgy, and the emergence of large fortified settlements—the characteristic oppida—that would finally be abandoned with the conquest of Hispania by Rome. Different types of evidence suggest that the Vetton economy was based on livestock. Palaeobotanical and carpological analyses reveal a major deforestation of the landscape, the conversion of large areas into pastures and cultivated fields, and the use of enclosures as cattle pens. The stone sculptures of bulls and pigs found throughout the mountainous areas of the region—the famous verracos—also reflect the value the Vettones placed on livestock. However, there have been very few studies devoted to the identification of faunal remains. In this text, we offer previously unpublished data on the animals found in the oppidum of Ulaca (Solosancho, Ávila, Spain), one of the largest in Celtic Iberia (third–first centuries BC), which we relate to other evidence from neighbouring sites. Thus, the state of the research into Vetton zooarchaeology is offered in the broader context of the Iberian Peninsula.

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Cities and socioecological systems in the ancient world

Boogers,

Beaujean,

Poblome

2024

A Companion to Cities in the Greco‐Roman World

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Cattle management in an Iron Age/Roman settlement in the Netherlands: Archaeozoological and stable isotope analysis

Cited by 14 publications

References 51 publications

Hunting before herding: A zooarchaeological and stable isotopic study of suids (Sus sp.) at Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the Netherlands (5450–4250 cal BC)

Hunting before herding: A zooarchaeological and stable isotopic study of suids (Sus sp.) at Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the Netherlands (5450–4250 cal BC)

Zooarchaeology of the Iron Age in Western Iberia: new insights from the Celtic oppidum of Ulaca

Cities and socioecological systems in the ancient world

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