EXPLOATAREA ANIMALELOR ÎN NIVELELE NEOLITICE TÂRZII, ENEOLITICUL TIMPURIU (GRUP FOENI) ŞI BRONZUL TIMPURIU DE LA UIVAR, JUDEŢUL TIMIŞ
ANIMALS MANAGEMENT IN THE LATE NEOLITHIC LEVELS, EARLY ENEOLITHIC (FOENI GROUP) AND EARLY BRONZE FROM UIVAR, TIMIŞ COUNTY

Summary/Abstract: The Late Neolithic faunal sample was recovered from the SXV surface and consists of 487 mammal bones. Of these, 206 were recovered from the pole pits, foundation trenches of a building and 281 fragments from the layer. The dwelling (Feat. 2245) located in the NE of the tell, at a depth of 0.80 m belongs to the 2nd level of construction, being dated between 4680–4580 BC; it represents the latest Neolithic horizon from Uivar (Vinča C2–3). Statistics show a majority proportion of cattle (35.26%), with lower contribution of pig and ovicaprines, 16.72% and 11.55% (Table 1). The rate of domestic mammals is 64.14% compared to 35.86%, the game. Red deer accounts for 16.72%, roe deer 8.81%, wild boar 7.6% and aurochs 2.43%. As MNI (minimum number of individuals) the share of domesticates is 60.42% compared to 39.58%, the wild one. The proportions of the main taxa change due to the different anatomical distribution. Thus, the percentages of bovines and red deer (largesized animals) decrease as a result of the diminished number of teeth, required for a good estimating of MNI. Specifically, the cattle register a decrease to 22.92% and the red deer, one of 12.5%. Instead, the frequencies of small-sized animals (sheep, goat, pig) increase, their groups containing more jaw bones: the pig registers a frequency of 18.75% and small ruminants, one of 16.67%. As mentioned on another occasion, a decrease in the cattle rate to 21.3% compared to the previous phases is recorded in Vinča C2 levels; likewise, the share of pigs (14.4%) and ovicaprines (16.6%) reduced. On the other hand, red deer is well represented (22.2%), compared to roe deer (11%) and wild boar (10.7%). The extent of hunting, especially red deer is visible towards the end of Vinča C2, which would suggest a cooling of the weather, accompanied by an expansion of forested areas. Overall, the percentages recorded in the sample from S. XV do not diverge from the general statistic, some differences being due, rather, to the scanty sample. Several complexes researched in the central area of the tell (S. II surface) belong to early Eneolithic levels (Foeni Grup). Unfortunately, the damage caused by subsequent human activities did not allow details. The faunal lot described in the article was recovered from two pillar pits (marked with F. 220, F. 221) and from a foundation ditch of the F. 211 complex. About 193 mammal remains were analyzed, of which 167 were fully determined. Six are ribs and diaphyseal cracks. 98 remains (58.68%) come from domestic mammals and 69 from wild mammals (41.32%). The percentage of cattle is 27.55%, followed by pig (15.57%) and ovicaprids (14.97%). The red deer has a significant number of bones totaling 20.96%; roe deer and wild boar have 9.59% each other. The dog, hare and the fox have a fragment each (0.59%). As NMI, the share of cattle decrease to 18.18%, pig prevailing by 24.24%. Small ruminanats total no more than 15.15%, the same for red deer; roe deer and wild boar add up to 9.59% each (Table 2). For the time being, our information on the fauna from Early Eneolithic settlements (Foeni group) is based only on the rich assemblage (about 20,000 bones) recovered from the eponymous site. The general data allow the placement of the Foeni site in the category of those with an emphasis on the exploitation of large animals (cattle, red deer), that of pigs and ovicaprids going into the background. Traces of early Bronze Age habitation (Makó-Kosihy-Čaka horizon) were investigated in the southwestern part of the tell. In that area, two truncated pits were delimited, being interpreted as pit-houses or storage pits. The pit- F. 4100/ S. XIII provided about 190 animal bones and the pit- F. 4022/ S. XIII, circa 205. The figures are relative, as many calcined chips were found in the pits, most of them tiny. Overall, 395 bones were quantified from the two complexes, of which 293 calcined chips and 102 determinable fragments. Of these, 80 come from domestic mammals (78.43%) and 22 from wild mammals (21.57%) (Table 2). The overwhelming proportion of bovine bones may suggest the importance of this taxon in supplying. On the other hand, many of the small-sized species bones were, probably destroyed by fire and could not be determined. On the other hand, those of the cattle were better preserved and suitable for identification. Therefore, the economy of the early Bronze Age communities in Uivar was focused on the exploitation of cattle, mainly for meat. The small number of bones may not provide clear evidence for by-products. Their share is high in Uivar, 60.79%. The exploitation of small ruminants and pig is insignificant, with only 7.84% each taxon. Hunting, with emphasize on red deer exploitation accounts for 21.57%. Makó sites in Hungary also have a high cattle frequency of over 50–60%. We mention Abda-Hármasok with 56%, Mosonszentmiklós-Gyepföldek with 66%, Táp-Borbapuszta with 61% and Paks-Gyapa with 61.7%. At the last site, Makó materials are mixed with Somogyvar-Vinkovci. As for the pig rate, it ranges from 9.5% in Paks-Gyapa to 22% in Mosonszentmiklós-Gyepföldek. Similarly, the share of small ruminants varies between 3% in Mosonszentmiklós-Gyepföldek, 16.5% in Abda-Hármasok and 33% in Táp-Borbapuszta. Hunting is insignificant in the mentioned sites, ranging between 2–6%, a higher value, of 9.4% having at Paks-Gyapa. Probably some local peculiarities, related to the environment, the way of exploitation of natural resources, the sample size will be provided those specific features of each site. However, the exploitation of cattle and the use of the already domesticated horse remain a common feature of the Makó-Kosihy-Čaka horizon communities, especially as a source of food, not only in the early Bronze Age but throughout this period.

• Details
• Contents