A new zooarchaeological application for geometric morphometric methods: Distinguishing Ovis aries morphotypes to address connectivity and mobility of prehistoric Central Asian pastoralists

摘要: Abstract Geometric morphometric methods (GMM), which were developed to characterize the shape and size of biological organisms, have been applied within zooarchaeology over past decade address animal domestication processes refine morphological criteria differentiate between taxa. However, there has limited utilization these discriminate populations same taxa challenge other key archaeological issues, such as migration connectivity in prehistory. Presented here is a novel application three-dimensional landmark based geometric approach nature long distance trade on prehistoric Silk Road. The similarity Bronze Iron Age cultures along this steppe route encouraged characterisations people nomads, with highly mobile, integrated, connected human populations. interconnectedness domestic populations, particular sheep (Ovis aries), foundation pastoral economy, never examined. This study utilized quantify variance O. aries astragali three geographically disparate settlement sites single Final age cultural chronological context. Significant differences morphotypes revealed that protracted mobility patterns unlikely while exchange may occurred, it was not pervasive enough produce uniform morphotype across central southeastern Kazakhstan. result new challenges models undifferentiated economic peoples