The archaeological excavations carried out by the University of Florence at the Castle of Al-Wu’Ayra, in Petra, and at the Castle of Shawbak, unearthed a rich amount of animal bones. The specimens analyzed here were collected during the UT 83 excavations at Al-Wu’Ayra Castle and at the area 10000 of Shawbak Castle and are referable to the Crusaders’ period of occupation. Both sites gave remains of domestic and wild animals. Noteworthy is the presence of swine: unlike Israel (Croft 2000, Cartledge 1986), this peculiar faunal component apparently persists through time. Striking is also the great amount of Parrotfish bones, both at Al-Wu’Ayra and Shawbak, as well as those of other marine animals. The ages of death of the domestic taxa suggest a prevalent use of these animals for food. The occurrence of a small bird, possibly a Chukar, Alectoris chukar, seems indicating hunt. Our analyses provide us a fairly good picture of the Crusaders’ daily life in Transjordan. The garrisons seem to have adapted to standing resources for food procurement. These are significant telltale signs of the dynamics of the Crusaders’ interrelations with local populations as well as of the network of connections that had been created for the castles’ supplies.

Faunal Remains at the Castle of Al-Wu’ayra, in Petra, and at the Castle of Shawbak (Crusaders’ period of occupation) / C. Corbino; P. Mazza. - STAMPA. - (2010), pp. 22-22. (Intervento presentato al convegno Changes and Challenges 11th International Conference on the History and Archaeology of Jordan tenutosi a Parigi nel 7-12 Giugno 2010).

Faunal Remains at the Castle of Al-Wu’ayra, in Petra, and at the Castle of Shawbak (Crusaders’ period of occupation).

MAZZA, PAUL
2010

Abstract

The archaeological excavations carried out by the University of Florence at the Castle of Al-Wu’Ayra, in Petra, and at the Castle of Shawbak, unearthed a rich amount of animal bones. The specimens analyzed here were collected during the UT 83 excavations at Al-Wu’Ayra Castle and at the area 10000 of Shawbak Castle and are referable to the Crusaders’ period of occupation. Both sites gave remains of domestic and wild animals. Noteworthy is the presence of swine: unlike Israel (Croft 2000, Cartledge 1986), this peculiar faunal component apparently persists through time. Striking is also the great amount of Parrotfish bones, both at Al-Wu’Ayra and Shawbak, as well as those of other marine animals. The ages of death of the domestic taxa suggest a prevalent use of these animals for food. The occurrence of a small bird, possibly a Chukar, Alectoris chukar, seems indicating hunt. Our analyses provide us a fairly good picture of the Crusaders’ daily life in Transjordan. The garrisons seem to have adapted to standing resources for food procurement. These are significant telltale signs of the dynamics of the Crusaders’ interrelations with local populations as well as of the network of connections that had been created for the castles’ supplies.
2010
Changes and Challenges 11th International Conference on the History and Archaeology of Jordan
Changes and Challenges 11th International Conference on the History and Archaeology of Jordan
Parigi
C. Corbino; P. Mazza
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Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/515257
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