Faunal Remains from the Fortification Gate: August 3-28, 2008

The faunal remains found at the Fortification Gate mainly consist of the bones and teeth from sheep/goat, cattle and pig. However, some peculiar observations were made.

Almost all cattle phalanges and distal canon bones were chopped (figure 1). This is very unlike those from the other excavation areas at Sagalassos where they are often completely preserved. While it is believed that phalanges were in general thrown away or left in the hide during butchering at Sagalassos, they must have been used for consumption within this area. These phalanges and canon bones were most probably chopped for their marrow.

A concentration of uncommon finds was collected from locus 137. There were a number of fish bones, comprising the bones of carp (Cyprinus carpio), other cyprinids (Cyprinidae), and catfish (Clarias sp.). In several cases, the latter species was showing cut marks (figure 2). Further, this locus also contained two marine shells (Pecten and Charonia variegata), two fresh water bivalves (cf. Unio), several worked antler fragments (figure 3), and some bone objects.