The Faunal Remains from Togolok 1 (Turkmenistan): Preliminary Analysis

The animal bones subject of this brief communication were recovered in two trenches carried out in the settlement of Togolok 1 in southern Turkmenistan. Although particularly of small-size, the osteological samples provide an interesting picture of the eating habits and economic conditions of this context. The preliminary study of the bone samplescoming from the excavation of Trenches A and B suggests that the fauna is mainly composed of domestic animals, with the predominance of sheep and goats. However, there are also other domestic species such as pigs and cattle. These are of considerable interest from an economic and environmental point of view, as they require the presence ofa semi-permanent community with agricultural subsistence and significant availability of water. The exploitation of wild animals is also attested, although their incidence in the economy of the site appears to be lower compared to the domestic species: the discovery of gazelles, leprids and turtles are symptomatic of open environments, also favorablefor grazing sheep and goats. Most of the bone fragments analyzed have a very high degree of homogeneous combustion, which changes the physical state of the elements by altering their color, which ranges from compact black to gray and white. In addition, some bone elements present deep traces of slaughter, suggesting an animal use aimed mainly at food consumption

کلیدواژه ها:

Togolok ، Faunal remains ، preliminary analysis ، archaeozoology ، animal bones