Pathways to pig isotopic signature change during Neolithic: variability in domestications actions and feeding practices

Abstract

Esta investigação tem como objectivo determinar as diferenças nas assinaturas isotópicas características da dieta entre o porco selvagem (Sus scrofa) e doméstico (Sus domesticus); investigar as diferentes vias e estratégias de gestão alimentaria em porcos domésticos durante o Neolítico Final e Calcolítico Inicial no Oeste da Península Ibérica a partir da análise de isótopos estáveis; e fornecer novas perceções sobre a interação humano-animal no processo de domesticação animal. Comparando assinaturas isotópicas em diferentes espécies animais, se podem identificar variabilidade nas ações de domesticação e práticas alimentares dos rebanhos. Os materiais usados para este estudo correspondem ao sítio arqueológico de Porto Torrão (Alentejo, Portugal). Foram analisados 40 ossos de espécies animais domésticos e selvagens a partir dos métodos zooarqueológicos: taxonomia, anatomia, tafonomia, biometria e marcas antrópicas; e das análises isotópicas: δ13C e δ15N. Os resultados mostraram informações sobre os padrões alimentares da fauna durante o Neolítico Final e Calcolítico Inicial de Porto Torrão. Descobrimos que os porcos domésticos e selvagens, bem como os herbívoros domésticos e selvagens, têm assinaturas isotópicas semelhantes; - Abstract During the Early Holocene, animal domestication led to significant changes in the subsistence strategies of Neolithic populations. In the Iberian Peninsula, researchers are currently studying the dynamics of animal domestication to better understand the neolithization phenomenon in the western Mediterranean. Pigs, being one of the first domesticated species, played a crucial role in providing a primary source of meat. This research aims to determine the differences in the isotopic signatures between the wild and domestic pigs; to investigate the different pathways and management strategies in domestic pigs during the Late Neolithic and Chalcolithic period in the Western Iberian Peninsula from stable isotope analysis; to provide new insights into human-faunal interaction in the domestication process. Materials for this study were taken from the archaeological site Porto Torrão, Alentejo, Portugal. 40 bones of domestic and wild species were analyzed using zooarchaeological methods such as taxonomy, taphonomy, biometry, butchery marks, and stable isotope analysis δ13C and δ15N for evaluating dietary composition. The results provide insights into dietary patterns of the fauna during the Late Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods from this site. We found that domestic pigs as well as wild and domestic herbivores have similar isotopic signatures. This research is part of the FoSNeC project. The research primarily aims to gather zooarchaeological data such as taxonomy, taphonomy, butchery marks, etc. Furthermore, researchers combine this data with stable isotope studies on the same samples to evaluate changes in pig management and exploitation strategies in the western Iberian Peninsula during the Neolithic period. By comparing isotopic signatures in different species, researchers can identify variability in domestication actions and feeding practices.