A methodological approach to the identification of duck and goose remains from archaeological sites with an application to Roman Britain
The use of ducks and geese in Roman Britain is poorly understood and rarely discussed despite the frequent recovery of their osteological remains from archaeological sites. This is because it can be difficult to distinguish between the different genera, let alone different species, using a comparative reference collection. The main aim of this project was to develop a reliable method of taxonomic identification using morphometry in order to analyse archaeological assemblages and develop our understanding of the use of ducks and geese in the past. Linear measurements were taken from modern reference material to create a database of the different European anatids. Taxon distinguishing criteria was then identified using statistical analysis and the simplest reliable identification criteria are presented here for nine bones of the avian skeleton. The reliable taxon distinguishing criteria were applied to various archaeological assemblages from a range of Roman sites in Britain to discuss which taxa were used and in what way. Key questions that are discussed include the use of wild birds compared to domestic ones, the use of ducks compared to geese and whether there is variation in the use of anatids between types
Poland, James Gerard
A methodological approach to the identification of duck and goose remains from archaeological sites with an application to Roman Britain. The use of ducks and geese in Roman Britain is poorly understood and rarely discussed despite the frequent recovery of their osteological remains from archaeological sites. This is because it can be difficult to distinguish between the different genera, let alone different species, using a comparative reference collection. The main aim of this project was to develop a reliable method of taxonomic identification using morphometry in order to analyse archaeological assemblages and develop our understanding of the use of ducks and geese in the past. Linear measurements were taken from modern reference material to create a database of the different European anatids. Taxon distinguishing criteria was then identified using statistical analysis and the simplest reliable identification criteria are presented here for nine bones of the avian skeleton. The reliable taxon distinguishing criteria were applied to various archaeological assemblages from a range of Roman sites in Britain to discuss which taxa were used and in what way. Key questions that are discussed include the use of wild birds compared to domestic ones, the use of ducks compared to geese and whether there is variation in the use of anatids between types
methodological identification remain archaeological_site application roman_britain use roman_britain poorly understand rarely discuss despite frequent recovery osteological remain archaeological_site difficult distinguish_different genus let alone different specie use comparative reference_collection main_aim project develop reliable method taxonomic identification use order_analyse archaeological_assemblage develop use past linear measurement take modern reference material create_database different european taxon distinguish criterion identify use_statistical analysis simple reliable identification criterion present bone skeleton reliable taxon distinguish criterion apply_various archaeological_assemblage range roman sit britain discus taxon use way key_question discuss_include use wild bird compare domestic use compare whether variation use type