The Malacological Evidence of Animal Remains from the Areni-1 Cave, Armenia

Noushig Zarikian

doi:10.11648/j.ija.20180601.13

Abstract

Systematic archaeological excavations at Areni-1 cave in the Republic of Armenia provided rich archaeozoological remains, among of which a large collection of water and terrestrial mollusks remains in different preserving degree (Phylum Mollusca) was separated. The recorded species mainly belong to the class Gastropoda (9 families, 8 genera, 8 species), which provide important information about the prevailing ecology during the periods of habitation and usage of the cave by Late Chalcolithic and Medieval inhabitants. The archaeological and zoological evidence could suggest a possible occurrence of rodents and birds, which are predators feeding on land mollusks. Finally, snail assemblages of Areni-1 cave suggest, that the climate regimes, vegetation and environment are similar to the present.

Highlights

The analysis of mollusca remains from archaeological contexts is an indivisible part of environmental archaeology and archaeozoology
Most of the land snail species are present in all trenches and are present in the area as a part of recent fauna of Armenia
We found that the carnivorous taxa regarded as troglobites Discus ruderatus are widespread in Armenian caves

Summary

Introduction

The analysis of mollusca remains from archaeological contexts is an indivisible part of environmental archaeology and archaeozoology. Trench 1 is located in the main or first gallery inside the cave and contains artifacts and features that clearly relate to funerary ritual, including human remains, as well as wine making paraphernalia dating to 4000–3800 cal BC. Trench 3 is located under the overhang of the cave on the outer edge at the main entrance to the first gallery (Figure 2) This trench contains medieval dwellings cutting into at least three Late Chalcolithic occupational phases designated as Chalcolithic Horizons I–III (4300–3400 cal BC). Traces of very high quality plastered floors and partially destroyed stone constructions (damaged by intrusive bins dug during Horizon II) are recorded in Trench 3 Dates for this Horizon range between 4300–4000 cal BC placing the Horizon III occupation in the early phase of the Late Chalcolithic [10]

Materials The material presented in this paper is originating from

Methods

Results and Discusion

Conclusion