Investigating cattle husbandry in the Swiss Late Neolithic using different scales of temporal precision: potential early evidence for deliberate livestock “improvement” in Europe

摘要: Cattle were the most common domestic livestock animal throughout much of Neolithic period in area now occupied by modern day Switzerland, home to a significant number sites dating between approximately 4400 and 2500 cal BC. Many these located wetland locations, resulting very well-preserved large faunal assemblages which can be dated using dendrochronology with rare precision. This region is also particularly important for our knowledge spread culture innovation through Central Europe during period—its topography results natural corridor influences travelled from both east west. study first combine cattle data across whole focusing on %NISP biometrical data, order investigate how husbandry changed over time, comparing west region. A different temporal scales are used look broad patterns then focus more detail. Results indicate that there clear correlation body size Swiss broadly line perceived cultural changes Of particular interest increase around time introduction Corded Ware culture, contrary general pattern decrease seen at this time. change seen, however, Switzerland prior raises questions alternative origins areas influence. Either way, likely explanation new population (or populations) larger into region, incorporated herds few hundred years, providing perhaps some earliest evidence “improvement” Europe.