Prehistoric and historical insights in avian zooarchaeology, taphonomy and ancient bird use

Abstract

and Argentina gathered to present findings and participate in birding events. The Lower Rio Grande Valley (Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties) provides habitat supporting about 520 resident, migratory and rare bird species, almost half of the 1114 recorded occurring in the USA as a whole. The presence of many tropical bird species encourages birders to visit in large numbers. Regional ecotourism that includes birding generated (as of ca. 2010) more than $300 million in local yearly revenue (Woosnam et al. 2011; Leslie 2016). We review the articles resulting from this first meeting in the USA and place them in contexts of taphonomy, hunting and domestication, and prehistoric and historic bird use.

Consumo de aves en el valle medio del río Negro durante el Holoceno tardío final: los restos del sitio Colforta 1 (Provincia de Río Negro, Argentina)

“…Los resultados del análisis tafonómico mostraron también una importante fragmentación del conjunto y la incidencia de raíces y carbonato, cuyos efectos son frecuentes en conjuntos arqueofaunísticos del valle medio del río Negro (Mange et al, 2016;Mange et al, 2020). Esta elevada fragmentación, ocurrida fundamentalmente cuando los huesos estaban en estado seco, se relacionaría con la fragilidad intrínseca de los huesos de aves (Dirrigl et al, 2020), con la abundante incidencia de termoalteración, con la actividad radicular de los arbustos que cubren este sector del valle y con la acción de animales fosoriales (roedores y eufractinos). La presencia de marcas de raíces, el predominio de estadios bajos o ausencia de meteorización en la muestra de mamíferos y la escasez de especímenes 2008; Mange et al, 2016;Mange, 2019) contrasta con las numerosas referencias históricas que consideraron a estas aves como el alimento preferido por los pueblos indígenas norpatagónicos (Casamiquela, 1985;Salemme y Frontini, 2011).…”

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

“…On the other hand, it must be emphasized that different archaeological sites have yielded very different results with regard to the relative number of avian bone elements (cf. Dirrigl et al, 2020), which in principle leaves room for alternative interpretations.…”

“…Birds played an important role in the ancient economy and culture. The study of avifaunal remains can provide valuable insights into a variety of topics, including palaeo‐diet, consumption patterns, tool making, cultural symbols, art and iconography, feather ornamentation, ethnology, medicine, musical instruments and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction (Dirrigl et al, 2020 and references therein). Despite its potential, avian archaeozoology has rarely been studied in the south‐eastern Alpine region (i.e.…”

Silence of the birds: avifauna exploitation during a period of increasing reliance on domesticates at Late Neolithic Tell Sabi Abyad, Syria

“…Both the utilitarian and symbolic significance of birds to the people of the Late Neolithic must be considered. Ethnographic studies have shown that birds have almost always had a symbolic role among human societies (Dirrigl et al 2020;Serjeantson 1997). All over the world people have used feathers for decoration, display and social signalling.…”