Hi Karin,
I was wondering what the scale bar designations are ?
If these mandibles are approx 1cm length, then they certainly do fit both in terms of size and morphology with the pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) which, according to recent molecular analyses, been in Ireland for at least 8000-9000 years. Pygmy shrew teeth are red-tipped. However, what I have found that after ingestion/digestion by owls species such as the barn owl, the red pigment (iron deposit) disappears, or in some cases is extremely faint in appearance.
If on the otherhand, these mandibles are longer in length..... then.......?
I do have some photos I took recently of p.shrew mandibles I teased out from some barn owl pellets, though I have not downloaded them from the camera as yet. Once I get a chance, I can certainly compare and let you know.
Best wishes, Ruth
----------------------------
Dr. Ruth Carden
Mammalian Osteologist
Natural History Division
National Museum of Ireland
Merrion Street
Dublin 2
IRELAND
Tel: (+)353 (0)87 942 6561
-----Original Message-----
From: Analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites on behalf of Karin Svensson
Sent: Wed 06-Aug-08 9:50 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ZOOARCH] Help with ID
Dear all,
I have published two pictures of a small mandible from an Irish excavation on http://karin02svensson.blogg.se Would anyone be able to help me with an ID please?
Thanks,
Karin
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