Identifying chicken breeds in the archaeological record : a geometric and linear morphometric approach
Domestic fowl remains are a small but significant element of many post-Iron Age bone assemblages, reflecting the importance of the many roles of this species, whether in augury, entertainment or different aspects of food-production. Size and shape variation in archaeological chicken bones has long been recognised as a possible indicator of different breeds or types associated with these roles, implying selection for favourable characteristics and the development of specialisation in poultry-keeping. This study investigates the potential of shape-analysis for identifying bone shape variation that may characterise particular morphotypes, helping to elucidate the processes of domestication and selection and the means and motivations behind breed development. The thesis explores the potential for geometric morphometrics to complement traditional biometrical analysis in identifying osteological differences in domestic fowl remains. By focusing on shape independent of size, GMM offers a new approach, identifying subtle variations in bone morphology which would not otherwise be detected. GMM techniques were applied to selected post-cranial bone elements from modern domestic fowl of known-breed, age and sex, revealing
Foster, Alison
Identifying chicken breeds in the archaeological record : a geometric and linear morphometric approach. Domestic fowl remains are a small but significant element of many post-Iron Age bone assemblages, reflecting the importance of the many roles of this species, whether in augury, entertainment or different aspects of food-production. Size and shape variation in archaeological chicken bones has long been recognised as a possible indicator of different breeds or types associated with these roles, implying selection for favourable characteristics and the development of specialisation in poultry-keeping. This study investigates the potential of shape-analysis for identifying bone shape variation that may characterise particular morphotypes, helping to elucidate the processes of domestication and selection and the means and motivations behind breed development. The thesis explores the potential for geometric morphometrics to complement traditional biometrical analysis in identifying osteological differences in domestic fowl remains. By focusing on shape independent of size, GMM offers a new approach, identifying subtle variations in bone morphology which would not otherwise be detected. GMM techniques were applied to selected post-cranial bone elements from modern domestic fowl of known-breed, age and sex, revealing
identifying chicken breed archaeological_record geometric linear morphometric approach domestic remain small significant element many post iron_age bone_assemblage reflect importance many role specie whether entertainment different_aspect food_production size_shape variation archaeological chicken bone long_recognise possible indicator different breed type associate role imply selection favourable characteristic development specialisation keeping study_investigate potential shape analysis identify bone shape variation may characterise particular help elucidate process domestication selection mean motivation_behind breed development explores_potential geometric_morphometrics complement traditional analysis identify osteological difference domestic remain focus shape independent size offer_new identifying subtle variation bone morphology would_otherwise detect technique_apply select post cranial bone element modern domestic known breed age_sex reveal