The emergence and evolution of Neolithic cattle farming in southeastern Europe: New zooarchaeological and stable isotope data from Džuljunica-Smărdeš, in northeastern Bulgaria (ca. 6200–5500 cal. BCE)

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102789
• Publication Date: 2021-01-23T10:40:58Z
• Authors: Safoora Kamjan; Donna de Groene; Youri van den Hurk; Petar Zidarov; Nedko Elenski; William P. Patterson; Canan Çakırlar
• Keywords: Animal Husbandry; Culling; Human settlement

Cattle were of great importance for the Neolithic farmers southeastern Europe, in particular as farming expanded towards well-watered regions Džuljunica (ca. 6200–5500 cal. BCE), one earliest known settlements northeastern Bulgaria. The clear stratigraphy and substantial Bos assemblage from Provided us with a opportunity to investigate beginning evolution cattle husbandry northern Balkans through stable isotope zooarchaeological analyses. relative abundance at leaves no doubt about beef herding. Mortality profiles suggest transition early phases beef-oriented mixed milk production husbandry, enabled intensified post-lactation culling. Stable carbon oxygen analysis tooth enamel on limited number samples provides evidence an extended calving season increasing availability or vertical mobility. nitrogen values bone collagen that kept near site, where C3 C4 plants available summer, they occasionally foddered forest resources winter. experience diachronic reduction size regional scale, possibly due farmers' choices aimed more manageable herds consisting smaller individuals. Restricting intermixing local aurochs arrival new type may also have contributed this change. Local factors inter-regional influences influenced ways evolved Bulgaria generally. More data region are necessary flesh out role interplay among environmental factors, developments, contacts facilitate transfer skills traditions relating changing modes husbandry.