Neolithic and Bronze Age ungulate footprint-tracks of the Severn Estuary: species, age, identification and interpretation of husbandry practices

Barr, K. and Bell, M. (2017) Neolithic and Bronze Age ungulate footprint-tracks of the Severn Estuary: species, age, identification and interpretation of husbandry practices. Environmental Archaeology: the Journal of Human Palaeoecology, 22 (1). pp. 1-14. ISSN 1461-4103 doi: 10.1080/14614103.2016.1222691

Abstract/Summary

Ungulate footprint-tracks provide information regarding the species and age of animals combined with other datasets, contributing to interpretation of seasonal husbandry patterns on the Severn Estuary. This article focuses on Bronze Age intertidal footprint-track sites at Redwick and Goldcliff East and the Late Neolithic site of Oldbury. Metric dimensions and morphology of modern contemporary ungulate footprint-tracks are used as analogues to help understand the species and age of prehistoric ungulates. Findings indicate that Dexter cattle and Soay sheep are metrically similar to British prehistoric ungulates, with a concentration of neonatal and juvenile individuals. Along with evidence provided by environmental data, faunal skeletal assemblages and lipid analysis, this leads to the conclusion that these sites were populated by younger animals which is consistent with activity in spring and summer.