ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND HUNTING OF THE BASIVKA HILLFORT

Abstract

During archaeological excavations at the Basivka hillfort in 2021—2022, animal bone material was obtained. The results of the analysis of the bone collection were compared with previously obtained data. Only those results based on a sufficient sample size were used for comparison. Since most of the bone material consisted of kitchen waste, as indicated by the nature of the bone fragmentation and traces of sharp objects on some of the remains, it was primarily possible to identify the animal species that served as the food supply for the people. The foundation of the economy consisted of domesticated animal species. Among the kitchen waste, remains of cows, sheep, goats, pigs, and horses were identified. Additionally, isolated finds of bones from a non-meat species — dogs — were noted. The age structure of the animals suggests a sufficient food supply, adequate to support the younger generation, particularly during the winter period. The cows found at the site belonged to hornless breeds, which were characteristic of most forest-steppe and Northern Black Sea region settlements during the Early Iron Age. For some species, assumptions were made regarding their use during their lifetime. The cattle population may have been maintained for dairy production, as suggested by the age structure of the site and the sex ratio observed at other Scythian sites. While the use of oxen for physical labor was not documented at the Basivka settlement, the rearing of oxen has been recorded at other Scythian sites. Horses were used both for riding and draught work. Among the bones of wild animal species, ungulates predominated, hunted primarily for their meat. Their quantity was small, indicating that the meat of wild animals played a supplementary rather than a primary role. Fur-bearing species, whose bones are recorded in larger samples, also played an important role in the settlement’s economy. However, their remains are significantly harder to find at this site.