Ancient Well From Bronze Age Reveals Mysteries of Animal Resource History in the Region

A debris deposit from the Bronze Age located in Mycenae, Greece, offers vital insight regarding animal resource history in the region.

Bronze Age Well

According to EurekAlert, animals were vital subsistence sources and symbolism in the late Bronze Age region of Mycenae. These are seen in the people's architecture and art depictions. However, it is necessary to dig deeper into the animals that lived in the area.

A study recently published in the PLOS One journal digs deeper into this. As part of the study, the researchers conducted an in-depth analysis of animal remains found within a Bronze Age well inside a Petsas House. This type of household in Mycenae also housed a ceramics workshop within it.

Deep excavations of the archaeological site led to the recovery of metal, ceramics, stone, and other materials. Alongside all of these materials were also many animal remains. The most common ones were from sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, and cattle.

Animals Remains

Upon looking into the conditions of the animal remains, including the evidence that a huge number of these animals were food for others, the researchers reconstructed that the Bronze Age well was used for post destruction debris collection.

Throughout the well's vertical layers, its content widely varies as well. This shows differences in the formation procedures of the source and in the animal resource availability. The alterations could also reflect difficulties in light of natural disasters, given how the well's debris may have resulted from cleanup efforts after a strong earthquake hit the area.

Interesting Engineering reports that the dog remains that were spotted inside the Bronze Age well were found on varying occasions. They were also more complete and comprehensive compared to the bones that belonged to farm animals. The researchers take this as flimsy evidence that dogs could have been granted different and special care compared to other animals.

EurekaAlert reports that the research reveals how analyzing animal remains in depth may grant insight regarding the dynamics of socialization across prehistoric settlements. Looking deeper into the area could explain trading, food provisioning, and responses to naturally disastrous events, as this is vital when it comes to archaeological locality.

The authors also mention that the study offers fresh insight regarding the recovered ancient animals. Studying the Petsas House showed that the animal remains were cleaned and disposed of in a well after a strong earthquake. Looking into the archaeologically recovered shells, teeth, and bones gave a more comprehensive picture of the resilient and diverse dietary systems of the people. It also offered a more nuanced and seasonal idea of animal access than had been available before at this vital political center.

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