Dear Zooarchers,
We’re currently undertaking an archaeozoological analysis of arctic fox
remains from the Magdalenian site of Gönnersdorf in the central Rhineland of
Germany. So far we’ve found very few comparable analyses of fox (arctic or
red).
It seems as though we’ll be starting more or less from scratch with this
one, and were wondering if anyone out there could help with further
information.
Obviously our main period of interest here is Palaeolithic, but we would be
happy with information from any sources, including historical ones.
Here is a list of the main aspects that we will be addressing in our report
and the information that we’ve gathered so far:
- bone density analysis. Is there any information for fox remains? At a
pinch we could use densities for marmot bones given in Lyman 1994.
- wear stages on teeth. I have Stiner’s canid wear stages for lower M1. Any
other data available?
- age on epiphyseal fusion. Payne (1987) gives data for red fox taken from
Harris 1978. Is this the only study for fox?
- sex determination. There seems to be no information on this aspect except
presence of baculum, of course.
- human modification (cut marks, bone smashing etc.). Some information in
West (Spadzista site), Soffer for the Russian sites, Grubgraben (West
again), Grotta Romanelli (Compagnoni, Curci and Tagliacozzo), Grotta delle
Mura (Bon and Boscato) Umingmak (Münzel), Trou de Chaleux (Charles). Mainly
relating to skinning activities and speculation about consumption of fox
meat. By the way, has anyone ever tried eating fox meat??
If anyone has access to further data, we would appreciate references, tips,
etc., but no care-packets containing fox meat, thanks.
Elaine
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