engleski

Age of Animals from Archaeological Site Vučedol (Croatia) 3 300-2 500 BC

In the archaeological site Vučedol (north-eastern Croatia) in period from 3 300 BC to 2 500 BC , there were three eneolithic Cultures. Baden Culture existed in period from 3 300 BC to 3 000 BC. Kostolac Culture existed in period from 3 150 to 2 900 BC, and Vučedol Culture, which was the youngest, existed from about 3 150 BC to 2 500 BC. Inclusive all three cultures were mainly agricultural, although in Vučedol Culture metallurgy had a very important place. Beside cattle-breeding and farming, hunting had a representative role in life style in all of those culture habitants, which is represented in rich archeological record of wild animals remains. On mandibles and dentes remains we noticed that age structure varied, depending on whether osteological remains originated from domesticated or wild animals. Bone fragments of wild animals suggest that there were mainly older animals (60-70%). There were about 30-40% of young animals, while remains of reproductive animals show that there were very small number of animals in that category. Age structure of domesticated animals indicates increasing number of younger individuals (50-60%) and discreasing number of older animals (30-40%). There is a rather small number of osteological remains which could implicate on animals in productive and reproductive active age. Findings like those suggest that the inhabitants of Vu~edol were hunting mostly old and weak animals or young individuals. Those animals were more accessible for hunting than the mature animals, because of their tools and way of hunting. Osteological remains of domesticated animals showed a different picture. Mainly they used young animals who cannot be reproductive because of some reasons (such as sterility), or old animals that they didnt want to use for reproduction any more. Unfortunately, based on our bone fragments, we cannot always determine sex of animals. If we can determinate that, it will be the great help for explanation about sex and age structure of animals that they use for food. In that case, whit more certainty, we can confirming hypothesis about overcoming reasons of bone fragments of young domestic animals which grooving up people on Vučedol cultural area.

Vučedol; mandible remains; dentes remains; age of animals

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