Korean J Vet Res.  2014 Mar;54(1):13-19.

A study of animal bones excavated from the shell mound of Jeju Jongdali 1819 archaeological site

• Kang Y
• Moon J
• Ahn M
• Bang MB
• Shin T

Abstract

Animal bones excavated with earthenware from the shell mound at the Jeju Jongdali 1819 archeological site, where three consecutive chronological layers covering the Neolithic (B.C. 15C-B.C. 10C), early Tamra, and late Tamra periods have been identified, were morphologically classified. The majority of the bones from all three periods were broken or split. The major fauna of the mammalian bones in all periods were Cervus spp., Sus scrofa, and Bos taurus. In the early and late Tamra periods, bones of small animals including Mustela sibirica coreana, Meles meles, Rodentia, and Aves were also found in small number. The excavated bones were from all parts of the animal bodies, including head, trunk, forelimb, and hindlimb. Collectively, these findings suggest that the major fauna from the Neolithic to late Tamra periods consisted of Cervus spp., Sus scrofa, and Bos taurus and that the fauna was dissected and carried to the shell mound site after hunting. Information from the bone remains in the shell mound are useful data for study of the wildlife and domestic animals living during the prehistoric period of Jeju Island.

Keyword

animal bone; faunal analysis; Jeju Jongdali; shell mound

MeSH Terms

Animals*
Animals, Domestic
Birds
Cattle
Forelimb
Head
Hindlimb
Rodentia
Sus scrofa