A taphonomic study of bone modification and of tooth-mark patterns on long limb bone portions by suids

This work presents new taphonomic data on bone modification by suids, including domestic pig, wild and hybrid boars. The intense modification undergone by bones from animals smaller than 100 kg is shown, together with a more moderate modification on bones from larger animals. Both the ravaging patte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of osteoarchaeology 2009-05, Vol.19 (3), p.345-363
Main Authors: Domínguez-Solera, S. D., Domínguez-Rodrigo, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
actualistic research
Archaeology
bone ravaging
Bones
Hogs
suids
taphonomy
tooth marks
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Summary:This work presents new taphonomic data on bone modification by suids, including domestic pig, wild and hybrid boars. The intense modification undergone by bones from animals smaller than 100 kg is shown, together with a more moderate modification on bones from larger animals. Both the ravaging pattern (with preferential deletion of cancellous tissue) and the tooth‐marking frequencies are similar to those documented among hyenas and dogs when having primary access to complete bones. A dual‐patterned experimental model consisting of the interaction of humans and suids was also considered. Here it is shown how suid modification of hammerstone‐broken bone assemblages is different from that documented among canids and hyaenids, as experimentally replicated. These results increase the number of non‐anthropogenic bone‐modifying agents and posit new issues on equifinality processes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:1047-482X
1099-1212
DOI:10.1002/oa.987