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A recently found cattle‐based mandibular thong‐smoother, which was the only bone tool in the Baden culture burial of a 6–10‐year‐old child at the site of Balatonlelle‐Rádpuszta‐Romtemplom mellett (western Hungary), represents the best‐preserved Eneolithic implement in this category ever published in Hungary. Being one of the oldest specimens from the distribution area of mandibular thong‐smoothers, it brings new information regarding the origin and possible use of this rarely identified type of tool linked to strap and thong‐making in the period from the Eneolithic to the Middle Bronze Age. Having been recovered from the grave of a child, it draws attention to the possibility that children may have been involved in strap production. The evaluation of analogies from and outside of Hungary also offered a complex review of mandibular thong‐smoothers. In addition to the role of these implements in taming and driving horses already discussed in the specialist literature, we also point to their involvement in the use of harnessed cattle for draught and transport, and its linkage to the spread of wagon and carriage in the wake of the 4th millennium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lynx remains are rare in archaeological assemblages. The skeleton of an adult male accompanied by four dogs was found in a large Migration Period pit at Zamárdi–Kútvölgyi‐dűlő II, Hungary. Extant lynx skeletons were used in estimating the shoulder height of this individual. Its stature is comparable to those of the large dogs it was buried with. None of the five skeletons showed skinning marks. Although the physical reconstruction of the lynx was of help in appraising this special pit, the actual nature of the deposit remains in question. Possible interpretations range from the mundane discard of carcasses to the poorly understood ritual burial of carnivores, beginning with the lynx. We reviewed these options within the framework of cultural diversity of Migration Period peoples in west‐central Hungary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earliest introduction of livestock (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs) into the Carpathian Basin was an important step towards farming expansion into continental Europe. This spread beyond the environments of the southern Balkans was accompanied by a reduction in the spectrum of cultivated crops, changes in the relative representation of different domestic animals, and, most likely, adaptations of husbandry practices. How the earliest farmers in the Carpathian Basin kept their domestic stock is still understudied. We explored early animal management and land use strategies at the Starčevo settlement at Alsónyék-Bátaszék, Hungary (Early Neolithic, ca. 5800–5600 cal BC). Settled at the intersection of wide alluvial plains, waterlogged meadows and marshes to the east, and forested hills to the west, early farmers at Alsónyék had a wide variety of options for nourishing their livestock. We performed stable isotope ratio analysis of bone collagen (n = 99; δ13C, δ15N) and tooth enamel (nteeth = 28, sequentially sampled for δ13C and δ18O) from wild and domestic animals to locate them in the landscape and investigate herding practices on a seasonal scale. The bone collagen isotope ratios mostly indicate feeding in open environments. However, results from the sequential analysis of cattle and sheep enamel suggest diverse dietary strategies for winters, including consumption of forest resources, consumption of summer hay and grazing in an open environment. Most pigs appear to have had herbivorous diets, but several individuals likely supplemented their diet with animal protein. Stable isotope ratio results from the Lengyel phase at Alsónyék (ca. 4800–4300 cal BC) suggest more access to animal protein for pigs, and feeding in more open areas by wild boar, red deer and cattle compared to the Starčevo phase. This study's results demonstrate considerable variability in early animal husbandry practices at Alsónyék. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive paper, based on already published avian material, provides an overview of the exploitation of birds at ecclesiastical settlements in medieval Hungary, with an outlook on other European religious establishments. Owing also to the differences in excavation methods, sample size, and measurements used during the identification of bird remains, the seven discussed ecclesiastical sites in the Carpathian Basin, which was part of the Hungarian Kingdom during the Middle Ages, showed considerable variability from this point of view. It is certain that poultry constituted the lion's share of the bird meat consumed, even in the wealthiest religious houses, such as bishopric centers. The presence of sexed specimens in some of these bone collections made it possible to distinguish between a small and a large phenotype of domestic chicken based on biometric data. However, in cases when finds were not only collected by hand but the food refuse deposit was also screened, one finds that these assemblages are both quantitatively and qualitatively more varied in terms of the presence and frequency of certain taxa including small game, suggesting the value and special role of (wild) fowl at ecclesiastical establishments. The avian remains that suggest the use of trained birds, as well as the evidence for the use and curation of crossbows, contribute to our knowledge about the hunting and fowling customs at certain religious houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The authors first present eight animal remains showing pathological changes, found in two Middle Neolithic assemblages in northern and western Hungary. Among the disorders identified in this set of animal remains, linear enamel hypoplasia was recognized for the first time in the Hungarian Neolithic. These Middle Neolithic finds were then reviewed within the context of palaeopathological data from the better-represented Early and Late Neolithic and, subsequent, (Late Copper Age and Early Bronze Age) prehistoric periods. Along with the increasing number of cases observed, patterns have begun to emerge in the taxonomic distribution of pathological lesions. The apparent great variability of the materials is, thus, discussed in terms of assemblage size, inter-observer bias and, ultimately, changes in prehistoric animal-keeping practices. Eight newly identified pathological animal remains identified in two Middle Neolithic assemblages (ca 5330–4940 calBC) in northern and western Hungary were placed within the broader context of relevant prehistoric finds. The aim was to understand the underrepresented Middle Neolithic finds in light of the better-known cases from other prehistoric periods. The newly reported cases include arthritic and inflammatory lesions, as well as dental disorders, such as linear enamel hypoplasia, recognized for the first time in the Hungarian Neolithic. Identifications were based on bone macromorphology. When large samples are available, the frequencies of pathological bone specimens reflect the taxonomic composition. Along with the increasing number of cases, longevity related to exploitation for secondary products also became manifest. Therefore, the effects of assemblage size, disease classification and differences between authors (related to training and the time of publication) need to be considered before pathological lesions can be interpreted in terms of diachronic changes in animal husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The articulated skeleton of an adult male lynx was found in association with four dogs and scattered bones of other domesticates in a pit at Zamárdi‐Kútvölgyi‐dűlő II, Hungary. Lynx remains occur rarely in the archaeological record, and protocols for ageing and sexing do not exist. The intact skull of the skeleton offered an opportunity to review the craniological features of the species in comparison with a reference material of extant individuals, complementing our knowledge of lynx osteology, providing an empirical basis for zooarchaeological evaluation. Although caution is due in assigning a concrete function to the curious Zamárdi deposit, familiarity with the craniological properties, habitat preferences, and behavior of Eurasian lynx is indispensable in cultural interpretations subject to a forthcoming study on the osteoarchaeology of this rare wild felid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper presents results on three medieval avian bone assemblages found at Debrecen-Monostor-erdő and Debrecen-Tócó-part. respectively. Domestic chicken yielded most of the bird remains to evidence the exploitation of adult birds for egg production and flock maintenance in particular. In addition. feather harvesting and fat production could have been the target of goose (and possibly duck) husbandry. Although the goose bone sizes resemble the greylag goose. the keeping of an unimproved form of domestic goose rather than the hunting of the wild ancestor is suggested by the structure of the assemblage and the presence of healed bones. Wild birds seem to have been rarely consumed by the settlers of the two villages. but the feathers or wings or carcasses of diurnal birds of prey and crows may have been used for special purposes. Either killed for their symbolic meaning or only persecuted for protecting the backyard animals. the red kite (Milvus milvus) and the hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) represent new species for the medieval avifauna of Hungary. similarly to the Northern shoveler (Anas clypeata) and the Northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) that could have been hunted in the marshy environment provided by the Tócó creek. Moreover. the use of trained saker falcon (Falco cherrug) for hawking cannot be excluded either. In addition to the exploitation of birds for the abovementioned goods and values. two needle cases made from goose bones evidence the utilization of their skeletal parts as raw material for producing artefacts as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archaeologia Lituana is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Im Beitrag wird der südtransdanubische Fundplatz Alsónyék-Bátaszék (Ungarn) vorgestellt, auf dem in den Jahren 2006-2009 nahezu 2500 Bestattungen und 60 Langhäuser der spätneolithisch-frühkupferzeitlichen Lengyel-Kultur ergraben und dokumentiert werden konnten. Im Mittelpunkt der Betrachtungen steht das der frühkupferzeitlichen Lengyel-Kultur zuzuweisende Grab 5603/927 mit der Bestattung eines Mannes. Dem Toten waren zahlreiche Beigaben in das Grab gegeben worden, unter anderem eine Steinaxt, ein Steinbeil und Silexmesser aus Importmaterial, ferner Kollektionen von Silexklingen und Trapezen sowie Geweih- und Knochengegenstände/-geräte (Geweihaxt, Schulterblatt und Geweihstab). Die auftretenden Gerätespektren werden gegliedert und ihre Stellung in der sozialen Hierarchie dieser wie auch vergleichbarer Gemeinschaften gedeutet. Für die Bestattung wird der Beleg geführt, dass der hier beigesetzte ältere Mann zu Lebzeiten sowohl auf örtliche und regionale Rohmaterialbezugszonen als auch auf jene des Fernhandels Zugriff hatte und wohl als Person zu deuten ist, die im Gefüge seiner Zeit eine bedeutende soziale Stellung einnahm. 1 This article presents the South Transdanubian site of Alsónyék-Bátaszék (Hungary) where nearly 2500 burials and 60 longhouses of the Late Neolithic-Early Copper Lengyel Culture were excavated and documented from 2006 until 2009. The focus of the article is on grave 5603/927 - the burial of a man attributed to the Early Copper Lengyel Culture. Numerous grave goods were present in his grave, among them a stone axe, a stone adze and silex knife made from imported material, as well as collections of silex blades and trapezes, antler and bone objects/tools (antler axe, scapula and antler staff). The paper categorises the tools and interprets their significance in the social hierarchy of this society and in comparable societies. Evidence is presented that the older man buried here held an important social position during his lifetime, someone who had access to local and regional sources of raw materials and also engaged in long-distance trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents bone evidence for various pathological lesions occurring in domestic hen (Gallus domesticus L.), the first domesticated bird. They include healed fractures of a small grade exacerbated by dislocations, inflammations manifested in joints, osteopetrosis, cervical hernia and rickets. All but one of the illustrated specimens originate from archaeological assemblages found on the territory of the present day Hungary and Romania. The time period represented by the finds ranges from the Roman Empire to the Middle Ages. In addition to the illustration of pathological lesions, a short description of the origin and effect of the injuries is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medieval animal remains from the Esztergom archbishopric (Hungary) were screened using 5 mm and 2 mm mesh sizes, aimed at the high-resolution study of fish and bird remains and helping to achieve better comparisons with documentary sources. This is the first medieval assemblage in Hungary recovered using screening. A total of 7,294 animal remains are studied here, representing the 14th and 15th century. The screening resulted in quantities of fish and bird bones. The large find numbers also multiplied the taxonomic diversity. In addition to the remains of new, small-bodied species, bones of young fish showed a diachronic increase in the contribution of carp and young pike to the diet. This seems consonant with the expansion of medieval fish farming. Remains of juvenile birds could also be identified. Some worked bones recovered by screening indicate the manufacturing or reparation of crossbows at the site. Thanks to these details, our material stands out among other contemporaneous animal bone assemblages from the Carpathian Basin. Comparisons between sites, however, must be done with caution, as our data are qualitatively different from others. Large bones of livestock and the near absence of those from large game may be interpreted in the light of other hand-collected samples, while fish and bird remains and even the abundance of brown hare need to be seen in part as a product of high-resolution recovery. The newly discovered spectrum of animal remains could be profitably interpreted in the light of late 15th century accounting books of the archbishop. Although these documentary sources slightly post-date our material, they shed light on the complexities of meat procurement between possibly local production and trade.

Over the last 10,000 y, humans have manipulated fallow deer populations with varying outcomes. Persian fallow deer ( Dama mesopotamica ) are now endangered. European fallow deer ( Dama dama ) are globally widespread and are simultaneously considered wild, domestic, endangered, invasive and are even the national animal of Barbuda and Antigua. Despite their close association with people, there is no consensus regarding their natural ranges or the timing and circumstances of their human-mediated translocations and extirpations. Our mitochondrial analyses of modern and archaeological specimens revealed two distinct clades of European fallow deer present in Anatolia and the Balkans. Zooarchaeological evidence suggests these regions were their sole glacial refugia. By combining biomolecular analyses with archaeological and textual evidence, we chart the declining distribution of Persian fallow deer and demonstrate that humans repeatedly translocated European fallow deer, sourced from the most geographically distant populations. Deer taken to Neolithic Chios and Rhodes derived not from nearby Anatolia, but from the Balkans. Though fallow deer were translocated throughout the Mediterranean as part of their association with the Greco-Roman goddesses Artemis and Diana, deer taken to Roman Mallorca were not locally available Dama dama , but Dama mesopotamica . Romans also initially introduced fallow deer to Northern Europe but the species became extinct and was reintroduced in the medieval period, this time from Anatolia. European colonial powers then transported deer populations across the globe. The biocultural histories of fallow deer challenge preconceptions about the divisions between wild and domestic species and provide information that should underpin modern management strategies., Competing Interests: Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.