albertonykus
Well-known member
Zhang, Y., L. Doyon, X. Gao, F. Chen, H. Wang, and S. Zhang (2022)
Birds and prehistoric humans in North China: a taphonomic analysis of the avian assemblage from Shuidonggou Locality 12
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 14: 157
doi: 10.1007/s12520-022-01623-1
Research undertaken over the last three decades has substantially transformed our understanding of avian exploitation in the prehistory. We now know that, as early as the European Middle Palaeolithic, birds were introduced in the cultural adaptive systems of prehistoric human groups for their meat, their bones for the manufacture of tools and their feathers either for symbolic and/or technological purpose. However, studies on avian exploitation mainly focus on the European and Levantine archaeological record, leaving vast regions of the Old World undocumented. Here we present the study of the avian assemblage recovered at Shuidonggou Locality 12, a c. 10.5 ka site from Northern China. Our zooarchaeological, taphonomic and technological approach shows clear difference in skeletal element representation by order as well as in the anthropogenic modifications present on these remains. More than ten taxa of birds are identified. Galliformes dominate the avian assemblage followed by Falconiformes and Strigiformes. While Galliformes appear to have been hunted for their meat, raptor wings were likely collected on the landscape and their feathers removed, likely to be used as ornament alongside stone beads. Furthermore, some bird bone may have been used in the manufacture of bone tools. Contextual evidence from the associated bone tool assemblage suggests nets and/or snares may have been used to catch the birds. Finally, the SDG12 visitors may have used projectiles equipped with blunt points to selectively hunt male pheasants.
Birds and prehistoric humans in North China: a taphonomic analysis of the avian assemblage from Shuidonggou Locality 12
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 14: 157
doi: 10.1007/s12520-022-01623-1
Research undertaken over the last three decades has substantially transformed our understanding of avian exploitation in the prehistory. We now know that, as early as the European Middle Palaeolithic, birds were introduced in the cultural adaptive systems of prehistoric human groups for their meat, their bones for the manufacture of tools and their feathers either for symbolic and/or technological purpose. However, studies on avian exploitation mainly focus on the European and Levantine archaeological record, leaving vast regions of the Old World undocumented. Here we present the study of the avian assemblage recovered at Shuidonggou Locality 12, a c. 10.5 ka site from Northern China. Our zooarchaeological, taphonomic and technological approach shows clear difference in skeletal element representation by order as well as in the anthropogenic modifications present on these remains. More than ten taxa of birds are identified. Galliformes dominate the avian assemblage followed by Falconiformes and Strigiformes. While Galliformes appear to have been hunted for their meat, raptor wings were likely collected on the landscape and their feathers removed, likely to be used as ornament alongside stone beads. Furthermore, some bird bone may have been used in the manufacture of bone tools. Contextual evidence from the associated bone tool assemblage suggests nets and/or snares may have been used to catch the birds. Finally, the SDG12 visitors may have used projectiles equipped with blunt points to selectively hunt male pheasants.
