What's behind the tell phenomenon? An archaeozoological approach of Eneolithic sites in Romania

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThis article is concerned with the Eneolithic period in southeastern Europe, which corresponds to a phase of increasing social complexity. We demonstrate that the development of a new type of settlement, the tell site, which in southeastern Romania fully began with the Gumelnit¸a culture, was accompanied by changes in the meat component of the diet. The 39 available faunal spectra are processed by correspondence analyses; this shows that the homogeneity that characterized the previous cultures (Hamangia and Boian) was followed by a greater diversity in animal exploitation systems in the Gumelnit¸a culture. The main change is the important role that large game played for some Gumelnit¸a communities (the favored species varied). However, variability existed within the domestic species as well. This may result from the interaction between several possible factors (e.g. new husbandry techniques, complex socio-economic relations between the sites, a great social value given to wild mammals). This diversity contrasts with the homogeneity of the pastoral practices developed for sheep (and, to a lesser extent, for cattle) at the Gumelnit¸a tell sites (reliable kill-off patterns were established for five sites). We also show that sheep exploitation was specialized. Given that this kind of specialized exploitation became the norm from the Gumelnit¸a period, we propose that the appearance of homogeneous and specialized practices for sheep is linked to the development of tell sites. More generally, certain standardization in pastoral practices during the Gumelnit¸a period is possible. For three tell sites, it is likely that the youngest sheep and goats died mainly elsewhere; we suggest that these settlements were parts of larger pastoral systems, on a local or regional scale, and that places or sites with complementary functions existed.

Sophisticated cattle dairy husbandry at Borduşani-Popină (Romania, fifth millennium BC): the evidence from complementary analysis of mortality profiles and stable isotopes

“…Other Gumelniţa faunal assemblages, including Hârşova, Luncaviţa and Măriuţa, have delivered cattle mortality profiles characterized by a strong representation of individuals aged from 4 years onwards, potentially reflecting the keeping of cows for dairy exploitation. The assemblages from Luncaviţa and Măriuţa, although smaller than that from Borduşani, also showed an emphasis on the culling of calves in the 6-12-month age group (Bréhard and Bălăşescu 2012). This suggests that the calves were not slaughtered in early youth, but maintained alive until this age.…”

“…This turnover is fast in infant and juvenile animals, and gradually slows down in older animals Figure 2 The cattle mortality profile and 'radiator' diagram from Borduşani (modified after Bréhard and Bălăşescu 2012); the sampled mandibles are in dark grey and maxillae in dashed dark grey. N = no of teeth.…”

“…The study of charcoal and mineralized wood fragments from the site suggests the vegetal environment adjacent to the settlement was similar and possibly dominated by hydrophilic communities consisting of poplar and willow (Tomescu 2003). The study of faunal remains (including mammals, fish, birds and molluscs) revealed that a rich and varied number of animals were exploited by the occupants of Borduşani (Bălăşescu, Moise and Dumitraşcu 2003;Bălăşescu, Moise and Radu 2005;Bréhard and Bălăşescu 2012;Gál and Kessler 2003;Radu 2003;). The mammalian faunal spectrum was dominated by the domestic species; pigs were predominant, followed by domestic cattle (20 per cent), sheep/goats and dog.…”

Beavers (Castor fiber) in the Past: Holocene Archaeological Evidence for Beavers in Romania

“…In all the samples, the teeth are contemporary with the specified cultural levels coming from areas of household refuse and dwellings. Bucsani and Vitanesti are small tell sites of Gumelnita culture (4600-3500 cal BC), which are still excavated (Brehard & Balasescu, 2012). Cutting traces have been identified on the beaver remains found at Vitanesti, proving the use of this species as food resource, and also for the fur.…”

Food Supply Strategies in the Romanian Eneolithic: Sheep/Goat Husbandry and Fishing Activities from Hârşova Tell and Borduşani-Popină (5th Millennium BC)

“…In south-east Europe, Eneolithic cultures represent a crucial period in the evolution of prehistoric societies as they are characterized by the development of copper metallurgy, specialized workshops (ceramic and flint-processing areas are the most common in Romania; Ellis, 1984;Marinescu-Bîlcu, 2002;Manolakakis, 2007;Chapman, 2010;Popovici, 2010), and accentuated social differentiation (Renfrew, 1978;Todorova, 1978; consistent and specialized. This homogeneity is quite unexpected given both the wide diversity in the faunal spectra that characterizes this period and the differences, in location and size for instance, between the studied sites (Bréhard & Balasȩscu, 2012). This raised the question of a possible standardization in pastoral practices, which would be somewhat reminiscent of the similarities in settlement organization observed between Eneolithic tell sites, especially in north-east Bulgaria (for example, Todorova, 1978;Bailey, 2000).…”