Size of Neolithic cattle stands out again during MRes bone analysis
Gianluca Marzagalli is undertaking a Masters by Research (MRes) at the UHI Archaeology Institute, looking at Structure Twelve’s animal remains in relation to the preparation of food. His degree is being funded by the Ness of Brodgar Trust, thanks to a generous donation from a supporter.
My research has now gone from reading articles and books linked to the literature review, to the more practical stage – working in the laboratory on the analysis of the samples.
A huge number of faunal remains were recovered from Structure Twelve and, until now, my role had been to carry out a preliminary examination, dividing them into large, medium or small terrestrial mammals and, where possible, distinguish the species so we can understand the animals present in the assemblage.
Furthermore, this preliminary analysis allowed me to identify traces of butchery and cut marks, as well as any evidence of animal gnawing on the bones.
The results to this point have been interesting, although not entirely surprising.
As has been the case from other areas of the site, the vastly predominant species, where recognisable, has been cattle, followed by sheep/goat. Until now, the only other species identified are pig and deer, although in vastly smaller numbers than the first two.
Some of the cattle bones, although mostly fractured, highlight again the sheer size some of the animals. For those who have visited the excavation site, the wooden replica of a Neolithic bull was definitely not an exaggeration!
Butchery and cut marks were present mostly on long bones and ribs, and interestingly two chop marks were found on a cattle horn and a large terrestrial mammal pelvis. From the status of preservation of the bones we can also start to understand how the Neolithic people might have discarded the bones at least in some parts of the building.
The surface of some of the bone suggests these were left exposed without being covered up. You can imagine the smell inside the building during its use!
Further details and hypotheses on the way in which the food preparation was taking place inside Structure Twelve will have to wait a more detailed level of analysis, that will take place soon after this preliminary stage.
I hope you will keep following my research for more exciting news in the next posts!
