Archaeozoology

Fauna remains are useful as economic, climatological and bromatological indicators. The assessment of the fauna inventory of La Bastida is currently in process. It stands out the presence of animals from more humid environments. Many of these species have disappeared.

Argaric communities used the tractive force of the animals, their by-products such as milk or wool and their meat for food. In terms of food, the animal exploitation was based on the breeding of pigs, goats, sheep and oxes. However, we cannot discard the intake of horse meat, taking into account the cut marks carved on remains of this animal. Cattle raising was complemented with  hunting of species such as deer, roebuck, wild boar and jackrabbit. The intake of clams, limpets and cockles was rare.

The data obtained by the study of  fauna remains allow the recreation of the animal processing activities since they are skinned until their consumption. Thanks to the morphology of the cuts observed on some bones, we know that  knives were used for this purpose. Through these remarks, we can attest the exploitation of  animals as raw material to make ornaments and tools. (enlace con área “Bone Industry”).

Cut marks on the bone of an animal

The analysis of the fauna remains discovered in La Bastida is currently in process. One investigation line included in this research area brings up the study of the animal remains deposited as grave goods. The representation of certain animal types seems to have an important role to reveal the social inequalities, along with other specific ceramic vessels, metal objects and some lithic tools.