The animal economy of people living in the settlement of Tell Rad Shaqrah (Syria)

Abstract

Animal management in the Early Dynastic and Akkadian periods at the site of Tell Rad Shaqrah in the Khabur River valley in Syria was reconstructed on the grounds of an analysis of osteological remains discovered at the site during excavations in 1991–1995. Of the total number of 4025 bone fragments, 59.2% were identified. In both chronological periods the most important role belonged to domestic animals, dominated by sheep and goat and followed by cattle. Remains of wild animals, mostly gazelle and equids, were also discovered; these were all post-consumption remains. Two young Barbary macaques (magots) were also identified; their bones were found in the storeroom and were identified as not post-consumption.