An odontological study of ovicaprine herding strategies in the North Atlantic islands : the potential of dental enamel defects for identifying secondary product utilisation in an archaeological context
Recent debate concerning the suitability of mortality profile analysis for identifying secondary product utilisation within archaeozoological assemblages has prompted the search for alternative methodologies. This research explores the potential of using weaning age to provide insight into herding strategies in ovicaprines, determined through the prevalence of developmental enamel defects. A histological methodology was developed, adapted to the specific nature of sheep molars through an understanding of formation processes and enamel structures. This established a relationship between weaning and developmental defects in modern sheep, revealed as distinct patterns in defect distribution within the enamel. Based on historical/archaeological data a weaning age model was developed for the North Atlantic region by which herding strategies could be recognised, specifically: mixed milk/meat subsistence, with an emphasis on milk (0-2 months) or on meat (2-4 months), and the optimisation of meat and/or wool (4-6 months). This methodology was then tested on archaeological material to interpret husbandry at Iron Age and Norse/Viking period sites. The results of this analysis showed that interpretations were in general
Ewens, Vicky Jane
Ovicaprine ; Hypoplasia ; North Atlantic ; Husbandry ; Dental defects ; Molars ; Mortality profiles ; Archaeozoology ; Sheep molars
An odontological study of ovicaprine herding strategies in the North Atlantic islands : the potential of dental enamel defects for identifying secondary product utilisation in an archaeological context. Recent debate concerning the suitability of mortality profile analysis for identifying secondary product utilisation within archaeozoological assemblages has prompted the search for alternative methodologies. This research explores the potential of using weaning age to provide insight into herding strategies in ovicaprines, determined through the prevalence of developmental enamel defects. A histological methodology was developed, adapted to the specific nature of sheep molars through an understanding of formation processes and enamel structures. This established a relationship between weaning and developmental defects in modern sheep, revealed as distinct patterns in defect distribution within the enamel. Based on historical/archaeological data a weaning age model was developed for the North Atlantic region by which herding strategies could be recognised, specifically: mixed milk/meat subsistence, with an emphasis on milk (0-2 months) or on meat (2-4 months), and the optimisation of meat and/or wool (4-6 months). This methodology was then tested on archaeological material to interpret husbandry at Iron Age and Norse/Viking period sites. The results of this analysis showed that interpretations were in general
study strategy north_atlantic island potential dental_enamel defect identify secondary_product utilisation archaeological_context recent debate_concern suitability mortality_profile analysis identify secondary_product utilisation within archaeozoological assemblage prompt search alternative methodology explores_potential use weaning age provide_insight herd strategy determine prevalence developmental enamel defect develop adapt specific_nature sheep molar formation_process enamel structure establish relationship developmental defect modern sheep reveal distinct pattern defect distribution within enamel based historical_archaeological data age model_develop north_atlantic region herd strategy could recognise specifically mixed milk meat subsistence emphasis milk meat meat and wool tested archaeological_material interpret husbandry iron_age norse viking period site analysis_show interpretation general