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Analysis of plant macrofossils in goat/sheep faeces from the Neolithic lake shore settlement of Horgen Scheller — an indication of prehistoric transhumance?

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Abstract

213 goat or sheep faeces from the Neolithic lake shore settlement of Horgen Scheller (Switzerland) were analysed for plant macrofossils. Only 51 (24%) of them contained identifiable remains. The most frequent finds were prickles of Rosaceae, probably blackberry (Rubus fruticosus s.l.). This is interpreted as food that was grazed from hedges, woodland edges or clearings in winter or spring. Faeces from summer or autumn are apparently not present. Explanations for this are discussed, among which trans-humance seems most probable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service Cantonal d'Archéologie, Valangines 3, CH-2006, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

    Örni Akeret

  2. Labor für Archäobotanik, Botanisches Institut, Schönbeinstrasse 6, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland

    Stefanie Jacomet

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  1. Örni Akeret
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  2. Stefanie Jacomet
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Akeret, Ö., Jacomet, S. Analysis of plant macrofossils in goat/sheep faeces from the Neolithic lake shore settlement of Horgen Scheller — an indication of prehistoric transhumance?. Veget Hist Archaebot 6, 235–239 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01370444

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