Pig hunting and husbandry in prehistoric Italy: a contribution to the domestication debate

摘要: In this article the evidence of pig exploitation in prehistory Italian peninsula and Sicily is presented. Though some differences morphology seem to have existed between different parts country, a broadly consistent diachronic pattern change has emerged. Mesolithic fairly small wild boars (with bones quite large relation teeth) lived Italy. For most Neolithic pigs similar size shape could be found across but signs that few changes systems had started occurring can at several sites. This interpreted as probably indicating beginning slow gradual process domestication local animals. The hypothesis early middle husbandry relied mainly on imported animals confidently refuted. Sometime during late and/or Bronze Age, practices changed throughout much clearer separation appears domestic populations. average decreased, consequence closer confinement herds, boar seems increased, possibly climatic or release hunting pressure. Recent (of traditional Maremman type) are, however, their counterparts, possible indication habitat fragmentation caused by human demographic pressure brought about further size.