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S.V. Semenova (Azov), L.L. Leonov (Moscow–Simferopol) – Archaeozoological Assemblages from the Middle and Late Bronze Age Settlements on the Karalar Coast of the Azov Sea

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Abstract

The article presents the results of an archeozoological study of bone remains from excavations at Middle and Late Bronze Age settlements on the Karalar coast of the Crimean Azov region. Osteological material from the settlements of Bolshoy Shiban, Sagun Dyk Kaya, Dzhargan Kaya and Tashlarka Severnaya provides the first idea of the species composition of domestic animals, meat consumption by residents, and allows authors to approach the issue of reconstructing economic activity during the Bronze Age. A total of 1,748 bones from 6 species of domestic mammals were analyzed, the proportion of invertebrates and representatives of other classes of vertebrates was determined. Analysis of the osteological material from the settlements indicates the presence of cattle and small cattle, horses, and pigs in the economy of the population of the Crimean Azov region. Cattle predominates, indicating its economic importance and the preference for beef in the diet of the residents of the Karalar coast. Fishing and hunting did not play a significant role. Marine and freshwater mollusks served as a supplement to the meat diet.

Keywords

Crimean Azov region, Middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, archeozoological studies, bone remains.

Svetlana V. Semenova, Azov Historical, Archaeological and Paleontological Museum-Reserve, Azov, Russia, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lev L. Leonov, Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Simferopol, Russia, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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