DOI: 10.33547/ODA-SAH.10.ZN.08
Zwierzęce szczątki kostne (Animal bone remains)
by Joanna Piątkowska-Małecka 
1
1 – Zakład Bioarcheologii, Wydział Archeologii Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28; 00-927 Warszawa
In: M. Cieślak-Kopyt, D. Pogodzińska 2020. Żelazna Nowa, stanowisko 2. Cmentarzysko kultury przeworskiej z Zapilcza na południowym Mazowszu, Ocalone Dziedzictwo Archeologiczne 10, Radom – Pękowice: Muzeum im. J. Malczewskiego w Radomiu, Wydawnictwo Profil-Archeo, p. 99-103.
Abstract: Animal bone remains retrieved from six cremation graves and from layers in the immediate vicinity of damaged graves were subjected to archaeozoological analysis. There were 32 animal bone fragments in total, of which 23 could be identified with high probability in terms of species and anatomy. The remaining bones represent two types. The first, more common type is comprised of bone fragments showing no traces of processing, possibly consumption waste. The second type is that of fragments of damaged artefacts made from osseous material, bearing discernible traces of processing. Among the analysed materials, five fragments revealed traces of processing – two were fragments of combs, another two most likely belonged to one damaged gaming piece (dice), and the last was a small fragment of a polished plate. All these objects were made of deer antler. The remaining, unworked fragments identified in terms of species, which were consumption waste, belonged exclusively to domesticated mammals and birds: sheep, goat, pig, cattle, horse, and hen. They were found in six out of approximately 65 graves recorded in the explored part of the necropolis, which means in 9.2% of the graves. Animal bone remains are interpreted in many ways, could have been the traces of feasts held during the funeral ceremony. The remains could have provided food for the dead on their way to the afterlife or could have been related to some acts of sacrifice.