Eneolithic pile dwellers captured waterfowl in winter: Analysis of avian bone remains from two pile dwellings in Ljubljansko barje (Slovenia)

Abstract

This study presents the results of an ornitho-archaeological analysis of avian bones from Stare gmajne and Blatna Brezovica, two Eneolithic pile dwelling sites in the area of Ljubljansko barje, Slovenia. Avian bone remains, together with remnants of huts, tools, mammal bones and bones of other vertebrates, represent the material remnant of a pile dwelling culture from the second half of the fourth millennium BC.A total of 2091 avian bones or fragments thereof were excavated. The avifauna includes 682 taxonomically identified remains (NISP), assigned to 15 bird taxa. Taxonomically, species from the Anatidae group predominate (68.7% of NISP), mainly Bucephala clangula (40.3% of NISP). Also abundant is Fulica atra (26.2% NISP) from the family Rallidae. In the ecological context, species inhabiting aquatic or marshy habitats prevail. Representatives of three ecomorphological groups of waterbirds were found: diving birds (Podiceps sp., Phalacrocorax carbo, Aythya fuligula, B. clangula and Mergus sp.), waterbirds (Cygnus sp., Anser sp., Anas sp. and F. atra) and the marsh species group (Ardea cinerea).The absence of medullary bone and the abundance of wintering species in the area are consistent with the hypothesis that the birds were captured during the winter season. Taphonomic evidence (burned bones) suggests that the studied assemblages were human food waste. The abundance of avian bone remains supports the hypothesis that the native peoples were skilled hunters of aquatic birds.

Verd – novoodkrito kolišče iz 5. tisočletja pr. Kr. na Ljubljanskem barju

“…nakazali določeno stopnjo funkcionalne specializacije prebivalstva v smislu ukvarjanja z lovom (Toškan et al, 2020) oz. različnega poseganja po izbranih vrstah mesne hrane (Toškan et al, 2020;Janžekovič et al, 2021), bi lahko torej izključni zastopanosti divjadi med zgolj petimi taksonomsko opredeljenimi živalskimi kostmi z Verda ob zgodnji starosti najdišča vendarle botrovali tudi nekateri drugi dejavniki.…”

“…All three fragments, with the epiphysis and associated diaphysis fused together, belonged to an animal that was young at the time of death. Since partially preserved skeletons were already found in the pile-dwelling settlements of Ljubljansko barje (Toškan & Dirjec, 2006;Velušček et al, 2011;Velušček et al, 2018) and the studies of the spatial distribution of animal bones in Maharski prekop and Stare gmajne in the 4th millennium BC have already indicated a certain functional specialization of the human population in relation to hunting (Toškan et al, 2018;Toškan & Dirjec, 2006;Velušček et al, 2011Velušček et al, , 2020Toškan et al, 2018) or different types of meat food (Toškan et al, 2020;Janžekovič et al, 2021). The exclusive findings of wild and the absence of domestic animal bones in Verd could also be influenced by other factors.…”

Evidence of Woodland Management at the Eneolithic Pile Dwellings (3700–2400 BCE) in the Ljubljansko Barje, Slovenia?

“…At certain sites, differences between the houses and related find assemblages point to specialization within the prehistoric communities [ 25 ]. Occupation at all sites is interpreted as permanent based on indications of cereal cultivation during spring, collection of fruits during late summer/autumn and animal exploitation during winter (e.g., Črnelnik, Hočevarica, Stare gmajne, Blatna Brezovica [ 22 , 24 , 30 , 31 ]). In addition, at multiple sites, the trees used for the houses were mainly cut after the growing season, e.g., in autumn, winter or early spring (Čufar and colleagues, unpublished data).…”