Osteological identification criteria for Capra pyrenaica and Capra hircus validated with DNA

Abstract

The taxonomic identification of Capra hircus and Capra pyrenaica from bone remains is essential in order to be able to infer a prehistoric society’s subsistence strategy. Although osteometry is the criterion that is typically used to distinguish both of these species, Sarrion (1988) also defined morphological characteristics for distinguishing them. The objective of this work is to validate these morphological criteria with the genetic identification of ovicaprine bone remains from Palaeolithic and Neolithic levels of the Chaves site (Sierra de Guara, Huesca). The preliminary results indicate that the astragalus and calcaneus are more adequate for identifying Capra pyrenaica and Capra hircus and the discrimination criteria of mandibles and metacarpals are called into question