Cultural Modification Analyses on Faunal Remains in Relation to Space Use and Direct Provisioning from Field VI EBIIIA Tell el-Hesi

Abstract

ABSTRACT Archaeological excavations at Tell el-Hesi have revealed an extensive Early Bronze Age IIIA city supported by grain-production and possibly trade. Early Bronze III materials are evident from multiple phases of settlement remains and a fortification wall visible in several excavated fields. From these, it appears that animal husbandry, along with grain production, were the main staples for the settlement. The majority of the excavated Early Bronze Age III animal remains, which were abundant, originated from Field VI, an occupation identified by the excavators as a mixed residential/production area. The Hesi field staff understood early on that Field VI contained local work areas with associated butchery spaces in the courtyards, evident by the presence of stone slabs and large bone deposits. The faunal remains from Field VI were first examined in 2006 and several samples were subjected to collagen isotopic analyses, which suggested that butchering activities may have been organized communally. The present research further explores animal processing in Tell el-Hesi’s Field VI by conducting a re-examination of the faunal remains that includes an analysis of cut marks and other evidence of butchery practices. This will allow us to assess the organization of animal processing in courtyards. Results indicate differential uses of this space in connection with animal processing and other exploitation activities, with suggested employment of a direct provisioning system during the EBIIIA occupation.