The social significance of cattle in Early Neolithic southern Britain
This research project has focused on exploring the relationship between people and cattle, and other animals, in Early Neolithic southern Britain. Cattle remains have been proven to be deposited at a range of sites dating to this period, from the early transitional stage of the period to the more established phase of long barrow and causewayed enclosure construction. Detailed re-assessment of published faunal reports from six sites dating to the earliest Neolithic has indicated that cattle comprise a major component of assemblages from the beginning of the period and that, with the exception of one site, the lack of significant amounts of other animals has highlighted just how large the disparity is between the deposition of cattle remains and those of other animals. Detailed re-assessment of thirty earthen and stone chambered long barrow reports was also undertaken and the depositional practices at these two types of site compared with each other and the earliest Neolithic sites. Although there are clear and obvious differences in the depositional practices at these sites, due largely to the purpose for which they were used, this study has demonstrated that the animals that comprise these assemblages show
Bishop, Lara
Early Neolithic ; Cattle
The social significance of cattle in Early Neolithic southern Britain. This research project has focused on exploring the relationship between people and cattle, and other animals, in Early Neolithic southern Britain. Cattle remains have been proven to be deposited at a range of sites dating to this period, from the early transitional stage of the period to the more established phase of long barrow and causewayed enclosure construction. Detailed re-assessment of published faunal reports from six sites dating to the earliest Neolithic has indicated that cattle comprise a major component of assemblages from the beginning of the period and that, with the exception of one site, the lack of significant amounts of other animals has highlighted just how large the disparity is between the deposition of cattle remains and those of other animals. Detailed re-assessment of thirty earthen and stone chambered long barrow reports was also undertaken and the depositional practices at these two types of site compared with each other and the earliest Neolithic sites. Although there are clear and obvious differences in the depositional practices at these sites, due largely to the purpose for which they were used, this study has demonstrated that the animals that comprise these assemblages show
social_significance cattle early_neolithic southern_britain project_focus explore_relationship people cattle animal early_neolithic southern_britain cattle remain proven range site date_period early transitional stage period establish phase long_barrow causewayed_enclosure construction detailed re_assessment publish faunal report site date early_neolithic indicate cattle comprise major_component assemblage begin_period exception site lack significant_amount animal highlight large disparity deposition cattle remain animal detailed re_assessment thirty earthen stone chamber long_barrow report also undertake depositional_practice two_type site compare early_neolithic site although clear obvious difference depositional_practice site due largely purpose use study_demonstrate animal comprise assemblages show