The Subsistence Economy of a Highland Settlement in the Zagros during the Bronze and Iron Ages: The Case of Gūnespān (Hamadan, Iran)

Abstract

Gūnespān is located in the southeastern part of Malayer, in Hamadan Province in Iran. The main occupation occurred during the Bronze Age and Late Iron Age (Median) periods. The study of archaeozoological assemblages from these peri- ods revealed that sheep/goat and cattle constitute the bulk of the exploited animal resources, showing that these human communities were highly dependent on pastoralism. During the Iron Age, the role of cattle seems to have become more predominant, which might be an indication of agricultural development in this region. Also, another feature in common with other sites in Iran is the increase of suid remains, which shows the growing importance of domestic pig during the Iron Age. In parallel, equid remains are also more numerous. The same pattern is visible when comparing Gūnespān to Godin Tepe and Nush-i Jan. The identified wild species (12%), the majority of which are herbivores, belong to wild sheep (Ovis orientalis), wild goat (Capra aegagrus), red deer (Cervus elaphus maral) or Persian fallow deer (Dama dama mesopo- tamica), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and gazelle (Gazella cf. subgutturosa). Other identified wild taxa are wild or domestic cat (Felis silvestris/catus), hare (Lepus europaeus), heron (Ardea sp.), duck (Anatidae), and tortoise (Testudo graeca).