A Wing and A Prayer: Towards a methodology for identifying human exploitation of birds from bone fracture patterns (Wendy Howard)

A Wing and A Prayer: Towards a methodology for identifying human exploitation of birds from bone fracture patterns (Wendy Howard)

Prehistoric exploitation of fauna frequently focuses on large mammals, but smaller species also provided a viable human dietary resource. Aside from the inherent recovery problems associated with small bones, a major issue is unequivocally distinguishing between those from cultural activity and natural agents.

Research was undertaken to determine whether human exploitation of birds could be reliably identified from bone fracture patterns, so improving the methods used to recognize anthropogenic activity. Radiographs from wild and captive birds with limb bone fractures were examined to determine whether there was characteristic patterning associated with ‘naturally-occurring’ trauma. Some limited experimentation was also performed to further clarify the fracture patterns produced under certain conditions. The intention was to establish the criteria indicating which fracture types were caused by human action, such as during capture, processing, or consumption.

The results showed a tendency for particular types of fractures that differed between wild and captive birds, with variation in bone and limb predominance. While no particular fracture type or break site guaranteed human activity, the presence of certain factors could show an increased probability for human intervention. The results also produce a model for future testing against an assemblage from a known occupation site.

Wendy Howard, University of Exeter

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