 |
 |
Dear Jen, The best person to ask is Jane Sidell of MoLAS, who has done a lot of work with eggshell. Her email address is: jane sidell [[log in to unmask]]. It would be interesting to know whether your colleagues have any views on whether these are natural finds (ie laid by a chicken or other bird, and then protected by natural filling of the ditch) or whether they are deliberate deposits. I have come across references to the deliberate deposition of eggs in Greece in the Classical and Hellenistic period, usually in religious contexts, though have not heard of examples in Britain. Best wishes, Dale Dale Serjeantson Visiting Research Fellow Archaeology School of Humanities University of Southampton Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK [log in to unmask] ________________________________ From: Analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites on behalf of Jen Kitch Sent: Tue 21/03/2006 08:29 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [ZOOARCH] Egg shell Dear All, I have been asked for help from a colleague, which I am now forwarding on to you. I hope you can answer better than I can! We have recently block lifted two relatively complete egg shells from a Late 2nd- early 4th Century roman ditch. Now we are a bit puzzeled about what to do next. Could anyone give me Ideas on what would be the best method to deal with the eggs and what the likelihood is for being able to establish species? Are they better to be retained relatively complete or is species identification something better achieved from fragments? Thanks in advance Jen Kitch