Archaeozoology: Research projects

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By obligation the department of archaeozoology attends all excavation works done by the archaeological services of the Canton of Berne (ADB) if not on site then at least by determining all animal remains (mostly bones) and publishing the results.

In most cases such archaeological investigations are necessary before new construction works (houses, roads, railroad tracks, etc.) are being undertaken. There are no exclusively scientific projects under way, our archaeologists are being kept busy enough on historical sites in danger of destruction by said construction works.

The most frequent strata encountered on these occasions are quite obviously from the Roman Age to the Middle Ages.

The focal point of our work therefore lies within these periods. The remains we are dealing with are mostly waste (broken bones) from livestock bred, raised and slaughtered for food (e.g. cattle, pigs), used for riding and as draught animals (e.g. horses, bulls) or kept for their produce (e.g. sheep for wool, chicken for eggs).

Wild animals (deer, wild boar, bear, small rodents, birds, fish, snails, etc.) do from time to time appear in the remains but mostly remain statistically insignificant. They may however show hunting activity by the local population and may offer hints as to the surrounding environment and climate.

The scientific analysis of all these animal remains help us get a better understanding of the interrelation between people, animals and the environment.

Publications (since 1990)


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