Seasonality Estimation of Archaeological Sites Basing on Fish Bone Remains. The Case of Eneolithic Workshop Site Fofanovo XIII in Lake Onega

Abstract

Excavations of the Eneolithic workshop site for making stone chopping tools the Fofanovo XIII on the western shore of Lake Onega (second half of the IV Millennium calBC) provided representative and faunistic assemblage consisting of relatively well preserved bones for the frst time in the Karelian archaeology. The assemblage makes it possible to study different aspects of the activity of the ancient population related to the exploitation of faunistic resources. The article presents the results of a seasonality estimation that is based on the analysis of the bone remains (vertebrae) of the absolutely prevailing in the assemblage specie – the zander. The authors’ analysis testifes that zander capturing was taking place during the snow-less season. This result confrms interpretation of the site as a specialized complex for seasonal specifc activities and for year-round habitation.