Zooarchaeological Evaluation of Ancient Datca (Burgaz, South-West Turkey)

Abstract

Recent excavations at the multi-period site of Datca/Burgaz in southwestern Turkey have revealed a sequence of occupation spanning from Geometric, Archaic and Classical periods. The zooarchaeological remains obtained from the Datca/Burgaz site provide a basic description of the faunal assemblages in the context of both local and regional dietary strategies of the various societies throughout the above-mentioned periods. All calculations are based upon a number of identified specimen frequencies. According to the results of this study, domestic cattle were the most plentiful species in the assemblage. Ovicaprine, including sheep and goats, and pigs were second and third most abundant respectively. In addition, wild species and equids are also represented in the fauna. Though frequencies of the samples change over the periods, cattle are found dominant in all periods. When consider the number of sample, the most statistically reliable among the groups at hand due to sample size (n=933) is the Classical Period.