An insight into animal exploitation during the Middle Bronze Age in the territory of Vatin Culture: faunal remains from Jaruga – Izbište site (Serbia)

Abstract

Although today there are a lot of various publications about the Vatin culture, its periodisation, characteristics, and material culture, the data on the exploitation of animals based on the analysis of faunal material is very modest. Therefore, this paper provides a valuable insight into animal exploitation during the Middle Bronze Age, based on results of archaeozoological analysis of one small assemblage from the Jaruga – Izbište site, related to the Vatin Culture. Relative distribution of species and skeletal elements, butchering marks, and bone fragmentation, suggest that animal remains from this sample mostly represent food leftovers. Faunal assemblage predominately consisted of mammal remains, while molluscs were present as well. Animal husbandry had a significant role, according to the high representation of domestic mammals (cattle, caprines, pig, horse, and dog), while hunting had a secondary role (rare remains of wild boar were the only specimens among wild mammals). The presence of freshwater shells from the Unio genus suggests exploitation of aquatic resources as well.