engleski

The Importance of Teeth in the Analysis of Animal Remains From the Archaeological Site Vučedol, Croatia

The analysis of animal remains (1502 samples) found at archaeological site Vučedol, Baden culture, has confirmed 85 individual animal teeth and broken bits of teeth as well as 156 fragments of lower and upper jaw. Those remains help with the identification on animal species that were native 5 500 years ago at the above mentioned site. The bite marks that were found on the other bones and bone fragments were used for very same identification purposes. The pattern on occlusal surface tell us whether one or more animal is in question. It also gives us idea about body mass (Canis spp.). The existence or the lack of certain teeth gives a clue about the sex of the particular animal (Equus spp., Sus spp.). The condition of the teeth row may indicates the age at which the particular animal has died and therefore explains the reason for keeping the animal in the first place (Cervus elaphus L., Sus spp.). All those facts are of great importance when it comes to defining the animal species, biological link between the populations as well as economic development of prehistoric societies.

animal teeth; lower and upper jaw; species identification; age; sex; body mass

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