Hi Philip
The deposits sound really interesting. I assume that there are no butchery
marks or signs of burning. Are there any other animal skeletons from the
site?
In my study of these deposits I found that the vast majority of associated
bone groups (ABGs) from Roman towns are dogs, for example at Dorchester
Greyhound yard S/G make up less than 10% of the ABG assemblage.
Are the S/G found in association with the human neonates. There are some
examples from Yorkshire such as Shiptonthorpe were ABGs are in close
proximity to human infant burials, but this is a rural settlement.
I an upload a copy of my PhD and other articles to 'zoobook' if that would
be useful.
Regarding interpretations, after looking at over 2000 of these types of
deposits from the Neolithic to late Med, I think the best way is to deal
with each individual ABG separately. The way I look at it is that the ABG
represents the final event in a series of actions and it's the actions that
we should be interested in and trying to apply meaning too. Of course this
doesn't make interpreting them any easier. I think to help with this it's
important to look at the nature of the archaeological feature and any other
associated finds, including 'normal rubbish'.
I hope that makes sense (I've only had one coffee so far this morning) and
helps.
Cheers
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: Analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: 28 October 2009 06:57
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Subject: [ZOOARCH] Roman foundation deposits & polled ewes
Dear Colleagues,
I am currently working on bone assemblages from Roman contexts
excavated at Chichester (Sussex). Among the faunal remains are three
sheep burials (articulated skeletons) - all of them female ewes. The
dates range from 1st to late 3rd century AD.
Phase 3 (AD43 to 70) polled ewe aged c. 6 to 8 yrs
Phase 6 (3rd cent.AD) polled ewe aged c.3 to 4 yrs
Phase 7 (late 3rd) female polled lamb c.1 to 2 yrs
All burials were located in an area of the site that by the 3rd
century had a property that may have been a brothel. In the same area
there were many human neonate burials.
Does anyone have a suggestion as to why polled ewes apparently were
chosen (?) for placing in foundations?
Thanks
With Best Wishes,
Philip
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