Exploiting Sheep and Goats at the Late Lengyel Settlement in Racot 18

Abstract

Abstract The excavations of Late Lengyel settlement in Racot 18 near Kościan are the most important archaeological achievements of Lech Czerniak in the first period of his outstanding academic career. This large settlement was made of numerous trapezoidal houses and several internal, external, and loam pits associated with them. The work at Racot 18 led to the discovery of a large assemblage of animal bones in an excellent state of preservation. The article examines the characteristics of the sheep and goat-based economy at the settlement of Racot 18. A comprehensive analysis of the caprine bones involved contextually driven faunal studies comprising taphonomy, separating sheep and goats, and kill-off patterns. The work implies a complex system of sheep and goat exploitation that includes the use of specialised harvesting strategies and the exploitation of different food resources, including meat and marrow and secondary products, most likely milk and wool. The significance of this work for recognizing the characteristics of Late Danubian agriculture in the Polish lowlands is also discussed.