Journal of Archaeological Science
Author:
Keywords:
archaeozoology, domestic fowl, gallus gallus, chicken, medullary bone, spur, breeds, mixture analysis, Science & Technology, Social Sciences, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Physical Sciences, Anthropology, Archaeology, Geosciences, Multidisciplinary, Geology, Gallus gallus, MEDULLARY BONE, 0402 Geochemistry, 0403 Geology, 2101 Archaeology, 4301 Archaeology
Abstract:
Using a large assemblage of domestic fowl bones from a classical site, a methodology is presented that allows the recognition of breeds. The approach differs from previous research in which tarsometatarsi were used exclusively. In the present paper, frequency histograms of long bone lengths and mixture analysis were combined with observations on medullary bone development. By concentrating on the analysis of bones with medullary bone, only the securely sexed part of the population (the females) is considered, thereby avoiding problems related to the use of spur development in tarsometatarsi. Three breeds of different sizes could be recognized, of which the smallest shows a high incidence of spurred females. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.