Pigs in Sight: Late Bronze Age Pig Husbandries in the Aegean and Anatolia

Abstract

This paper explores pig husbandry across the Aegean and Anatolia based on zooarchaeological data and ancient texts. The western Anatolian citadel of Kaymakçı is the departure point for discussion, as it sits in the Mycenaean-Hittite interaction zone and provides a uniquely large assemblage of pig bones. NISP, mortality, and biometric data from 38 additional sites across Greece and Anatolia allows observation of intra-and interregional variation in the role of pigs in subsistence economies, pig management, and pig size characteristics. Results show that, first, pig abundance at Kaymakçı matches Mycenaean and northern Aegean sites more closely than central, southern, and southeastern Anatolian sites; second, pig mortality data and biometry suggest multiple husbandry strategies and pig populations at Kaymakçı, but other explanations cannot yet be excluded; and, third, for the Aegean and Anatolia during the Late Bronze Age more generally, pig data suggests pluriformity, which challenges the use of "pig principles" in this region.

Livestock management in the Northern Levant during the first millennium BCE

“…2 and S for the northernmost site of Alalakh, which probably follows the pattern observed for the Anatolian sites with more pigs in the economy (Fig. 3 and S.1.c; see discussion in Slim et al, 2020;Slim and Çakırlar, 2022 in this volume). Significant differences are attested between coastal and hinterland sites.…”

“Well” off in animals: A taphonomic history of faunal resources and refuse from a well feature at Petsas House, Mycenae (Greece)

“…Thus, household meals at Mycenae appear to have commonly included locally-reared pigs in the LH IIIA2 period. This confirms the recent finding that pigs played a larger, more integral role in the diets of Mycenaeans, and other Bronze Age Mediterranean cultures than previously suggested by the ancient texts [ 74 , 75 ]. Still, pigs were likely used in more symbolic practices evidenced by the sacrificial burning of pig carcass parts at Methena and possibly Eleusis [ 28 , 65 ].…”

“…Given the wide range of sample sizes and variables, a higher threshold of significance was required (1%; adjusted residual values � 3.2 and � -3.2). Significantly higher proportions of pig remains were detected for many level groups, except for samples from the lowest part of the well (adjusted residual values � 3.2 in level groups 15,35,[75][76][77][78][79][80]Fig 4a). By contrast, there were higher proportions of caprine remains in level groups from the middle (45) and lower parts of the deposit (65)(66)(67)(68)(69)(70)80;Fig 4b).…”

Honderd jaar archeozoölogie in Groningen

“…Deze data vormt in combinatie met recent en lopend onderzoek een belangrijke basis voor vergelijkend of meta-analytisch onderzoek naar mens-diergebruiken in verschillende regio's (zie bijv. Slim, Çakırlar & Roosevelt 2020).…”