Introduced Domestic Animals in the Neolithic and Metal Age of the Philippines: Evidence From Nagsabaran, Northern Luzon

Abstract

ABSTRACT The faunal remains recovered from the Neolithic and Metal Age Nagsabaran shell midden site in Cagayan, Northern Luzon Philippines were analyzed to gain insights into the arrival of managed animal populations, subsistence patterns, and animal processing during the occupation of the site around 2000 cal BC to within the last 1,500 years. Introduced pigs are present from the earliest recognized phases of settlement, but dogs are only evident from the Late Neolithic/Metal Age onwards. The faunal assemblage is dominated by wild taxa suggesting the reliance on hunting for subsistence even up to the Late Metal Age (1350 BP). There was no intensification in animal husbandry, even in the presence of domestic animals, which is in contrast to other sites in the region dating to the same period and demonstrates regional variability in the resource importance of introduced domestic taxa. Analysis of skeletal element representation in the assemblage revealed that whole carcasses were being brought to the site and processed, and systematic analysis of the butchery marks permitted the description of carcass processing sequences. Over-representation of certain skeletal elements, and the presence of finished tools suggests the on-site manufacture of bone implements during the later phases of site occupation.