FAUNA GETO-DACICĂ DE LA GURA VITIOAREI (JUD. PRAHOVA)
THE GETO-DACIAN FAUNA FROM GURA VITIOAREI (PRAHOVA COUNTY)

Summary/Abstract: From the archaeological site from Gura Vitioarei (2nd century BC – 1st century AD) we studied faunal material from 12 archaeological features (pits). The fauna counts 1035 remains, most of them coming from mammals. The animal husbandry is clearly highlighted at Gura Vitioarei if we consider the high number of remains (94.7% NR), weight (89%) and the minimum number of individuals (78.8% MNI) attributed to domestic mammals. Thus, cattle dominate, in terms of number of remains and weight, followed by pigs and then sheep and goats. Regarding the MNI, an almost uniform distribution is observed within the domestic triad. The ages of these animals, especially cattle and ovicaprids are extremly varied, which suggests a mixed exploitation, both for their secondary products (milk, wool, traction etc.) and for meat production. Pigs are raised mainly for their meat and fat production, being slaughtered at ages over 15-18 months when they probably reached a relatively high body weight. Hunting has a secondary, slightly negligible role, being poorly represented as number of remains (5.3%), but it has a relatively high weight as minimum number of individuals (21.2%). Compared to other geto-dacian sites in Muntenia, the settlement at Gura Vitioarei is archaeozoologically / paleoeconomically similar, if we consider the predominance of cattle and the low contribution of hunting to the community's diet.

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