Using traditional biometrical data to distinguish West Palearctic wild boar and domestic pigs in the archaeological record: new methods and standards

摘要: Traditionally, the separation of domestic pig remains from those wild boar in zooarchaeological assemblages has been based on comparison simple size measurements with limited numbers modern or archaeological reference specimens and then applying poorly defined cut-off values to make identification calls. This study provides a new statistical framework for both Sus scrofa using standard molar tooth lengths widths large comparative collection consisting 407 West Palearctic pigs. Our continues rely upon so-called ‘cut-off’ that correspond optimal between two groups, but measure visualisation error risk curves erroneous identifications. On average, have larger teeth than pigs were established maximum length width, respectively as follows: 2.39 cm 1.85 second upper molar, 3.69 2.13 third 2.26 1.50 lower 3.79 1.75 molar. Specimens below above these cut-offs are most likely be, respectively, providing wrong will depend distance value following relative curve. Although containing high inherent error, nonetheless this basic metrical identification-tool (based only recent specimens), is here shown correctly re-identify 94% Neolithic Durrington Walls (England) pig. tool could be employed not systematically re-evaluate previous identifications scrofa, also establish where more powerful reliable approaches such Geometric Morphometrics cannot applied.