The origins and evolution of pig domestication in prehistoric Spain
From the main four domesticates (cattle, sheep, goat, and pig), the pig has only recently attracted scientific interest worthy of its archaeological importance. Synthetic works studying wild or domestic pigs in European regions such as Italy, Sardinia/Corsica and Poland have provided important insights often missed by site-focused zooarchaeological reports. This thesis constitutes the first study focusing on pigs and their interactions with humans in Spain from pre-Neolithic times until the Iron Age. Crucial archaeological issues addressed include, when and how pig domestication occurred, how it was integrated in the neolithisation of Iberia, and how it evolved in post-Neolithic periods. The relationships between humans and wild boar as well as between domestic pigs and their wild counterparts are also explored. A large volume of biometric data on postcranial and dental elements, combined with age and sex data of pig populations, allow reliable analyses and well-informed interpretations. These data are explored graphically and described to refine the picture of prehistoric pig populations in Spain and generate inferences on their relationship with humans. Biometric data from other countries and ethnoarchaeological
Hadjikoumis, Angelos
The origins and evolution of pig domestication in prehistoric Spain. From the main four domesticates (cattle, sheep, goat, and pig), the pig has only recently attracted scientific interest worthy of its archaeological importance. Synthetic works studying wild or domestic pigs in European regions such as Italy, Sardinia/Corsica and Poland have provided important insights often missed by site-focused zooarchaeological reports. This thesis constitutes the first study focusing on pigs and their interactions with humans in Spain from pre-Neolithic times until the Iron Age. Crucial archaeological issues addressed include, when and how pig domestication occurred, how it was integrated in the neolithisation of Iberia, and how it evolved in post-Neolithic periods. The relationships between humans and wild boar as well as between domestic pigs and their wild counterparts are also explored. A large volume of biometric data on postcranial and dental elements, combined with age and sex data of pig populations, allow reliable analyses and well-informed interpretations. These data are explored graphically and described to refine the picture of prehistoric pig populations in Spain and generate inferences on their relationship with humans. Biometric data from other countries and ethnoarchaeological
origin_evolution pig domestication prehistoric spain main domesticates cattle_sheep goat pig pig recently attract scientific interest worthy archaeological importance synthetic work study wild_domestic pig european region italy sardinia poland provide_important insight often miss site focused zooarchaeological report constitutes_first study_focus pig interaction human spain pre neolithic time iron_age crucial archaeological issue_address include pig domestication occur integrate iberia evolve post neolithic_period relationship human wild well domestic pig wild counterpart also_explore large_volume data dental element combine age_sex data pig population allow reliable analysis well informed interpretation data explore graphically describe refine picture prehistoric pig population spain generate inference relationship human data country ethnoarchaeological