A New Research Method for Economic Prehistorians

Abstract

AbstractMortality frequencies of domestic and wild species from prehistoric settlements are becoming increasingly important in reconstructing economic patterns, and in certain areas, for isolating stages in animal domestication. The methods whereby such mortality frequencies have been estimated, however, are considered to be unreliable and, in some cases, misleading.This paper presents a new and considerably more accurate method for estimating the mortality frequencies of domestic animals than those currently in use, and it suggests fields where its application will prove of value as a research tool for the economic prehistorian.