Stable isotopes reveal animal management practices at the LBK settlement of Těšetice-Kyjovice, Czech Republic
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| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | Domestic animals, such as cattle, sheep, goat, and pig, formed an essential component of the Neolithic package that originated in the Near East. As these animals were introduced to Central Europe, their management practices had to adapt to the temperate climate and changing seasons, which likely had a significant impact on their biological behavior. This pilot study aims to investigate the management practices of domestic animals at the Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) settlement of Těšetice-Kyjovice (5300-5000 BC) in the Czech Republic. The study seeks to address the following key questions: What type of landscape did the animals inhabit? How were herd management practices structured, and how did they vary throughout the year? What was the composition of the animals' diet? To achieve these objectives, we selected 40 ruminant bones from a lateral pit adjacent to a longhouse at the site. These bones will be subjected to stable isotope analysis of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O) to provide insights into the animals' diet, habitat, and seasonal management practices employed by the LBK community. This study will contribute to our understanding of animal management strategies during the early Neolithic period in Central Europe. The findings of this study will lay the groundwork for future research in this field, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between Neolithic communities and their domesticated animals. |
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