Pages:  217-229 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp262217229

This study presents the findings of archaeozoological research on the osteological collection from the excavations of the Panagia 1 settlement, located in the southwestern part of the Taman Peninsula. The settlement is associated with the late Sabatinovka-Belozerskava cultures and is dated to the 14th—10th centuries BC. The paper discusses biological and archaeological characteristics influenced by economic factors, including taxonomic composition, anatomical and osteological spectra, sizes of domestic animals, bone pathologies, livestock slaughter patterns by age groups, natural preservation, bone fragmentation index, traces of human impact, and the structure of meat consumption. The findings from these long-term, comprehensive archaeozoological studies of this significant Late Bronze Age site in Taman and surrounding regions represent the first consolidated publication of extensive material shedding light on the subsistence system of the ancient population of the Taman Peninsula during the Late Bronze Age. Based on the research, it can be concluded that cattle dominate the osteological spectrum of domestic animals, followed by horses, with small ruminants in third place, and pigs at the bottom of the list. The analysis of skeletal section ratios indicates local butchering practices. Beef formed the basis of the residents’ meat diet. Hunting, fishing, and gathering were of secondary importance to the population.

Keywords: Taman Peninsula, Panagia 1 settlement, osteological collection, herd composition, kitchen waste, meat ration, range of meat consumption

Information about authors:

Andrei Goroshnikov (Moscow, Russian Federation). Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dmitry Ulyanov St., 19, Moscow, 117292, Russian Federation; Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research, Russian Academy of Sciences . Nauki Ave., 3, Pushchino, 142290, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-5148-1559

Svetlana Semenova (Azov, Russian Federation). Azov Historical, Archaeological and Paleontological Museum-Reserve. Moskovskaya St., 38/40, Azov, 346789, Russian Federation 
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0009-0004-0450-705X

Zoya Goroshnikova (Moscow, Russian Federation). PhD. Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dmitry Ulyanov St., 19, Moscow, 117292, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0003-4084-6951