Abstract
The article deals with preliminary results of a study of the archaezoological material excavated in the Bactrian fortress Kampyrtepa. It is dated from the Hellenism to the Great Kushan Period (from the end of the 4th century BC to the fi rst half of the 2nd century AD). Totally 1123 fragments and intact bones of vertebrates of the middle and fi ne condition belong to four chronological periods. The analysis of materials allows author to assume the presence of 14 animal species on the territory of the site. The character of fragmented bones and the presence of numerous cuttings prove the kitchen origin of most remains. The overwhelming majority of bones belong to domestic animals (9 species). A domestic sheep formed a basis of the fortress
animal farming; her height varied from 56 to 62 cm. Horses and the cattle are presented by a minimal number of individuals. The pig breeding was most likely weakly developed during the investigated period. The poultry including hens was also a food sector. The hunting played a minor role in terms of supplying inhabitants with meat. Bones of a wild boar are most abundant among the hunting fauna. Remains of a Bokhara deer and Persian gazelle are also found. The presence of bone goods, work pieces, bones with the tool traces allowed author to assume the presence of a bone-carving workshop existed in the fortress during the 3rd century BC – the 2nd century BC. Analyzing the wild fauna, the author supposes that the surrounding territory of the ancient settlement was to be a wide foothill plain covered with tugay tangles.
Keywords
Bactria, Kampyrtepa Fortress, Hellinism, Kushan, zooarcheology
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