Analysis of Archaeozoological Assemblage from Nebelivka Trypillian Settlement

Abstract

The archaeological collection from Nebelivka settlement contains 2519 fragments of bones of mammals, birds, and turtles. 1616 bones were definable to the species they belonged to. The collection consists of «kitchen refuse».

A peculiar feature of Nebelivka archaeozoological assemblage is the relatively low content of wild animal species (10,1 % of the total number of mammals). The inhabitants of the settlement bred cattle, small cattle, and pigs. Horse is represented by single bones. At present, there is no conclusive evidence for the refering of horse from Nebelivka to wild or to domestic form. The bones of dogs are also few. They are mainly represented by fragments of lower jaws that were used as tools. The population hunted tour, red deer, roe deer, and hare.

The basic amount of animal food (90,3 %) was obtained from domestic animals breeding. The exploitation of domestic animal herds is described by the meat and dairy direction with usage of secondary products: cattle and small cattle’s milk and dairy products, as well as sheep and goats’ wool. The usage of cattle’s draft power is also possible. Pigs breeding was focused in obtaining meat: 77,3 % of animals were slaughtered before reaching sexual maturity. The bones of animals of various species were used to make tools.

Domestic animals were pastured near the settlement and kept in stalls during the winter season. The domestic animals, obviously, were sufficiently provided with feed in winter.

The structure of the hunting prey and a considerable number of pigs and small cattle indicate a forest-steppe landscape with the alternation of forest and meadow-steppe lands around the settlement.