Animal Husbandry and Hunting in Tác-Gorsium

This handsomely produced book is a scientific account of animal remains, and the conclusions based on them, obtained during archaeological excavations at a staging-post in what subsequently became Hungary. It should appeal to domestication buffs. The first Roman occupation of the site occurred in the middle of the 1st century AD. Many interesting conclusions are drawn from the findings. The number of domesticated species almost doubled during the Roman period, compared with the Iron Age. The numerically dominant domesticated species was cattle, followed by small ruminants and the pig. Meat was supplied almost exclusively by domesticated species. Almost two-thirds of the cattle were of Italian origin. Withers height of cattle was 104-143 cm; 70% of animals were cows, 11% were bulls, and the remainder steers. Three types of sheep were identified: a large, Italian type; a small, indigenous type; and a type possibly of eastern origin. The goats were large, with a withers height of 70-72 cm. All specimens of both sexes were horned, except for one animal. The pigs did not appear to have been improved by crossing with larger, imported types. The sex ratio was 8 boars: 26 sows. Five types of dog could be distinguished: miniature with slender, straight legs; Dachshund type; larger dogs with short, massive, straight legs; a group varying in size between the Fox Terrier and German Shepherd; Greyhounds. Although cattle provided meat and dairy products, their most important use was for draught. Sheep and goats also provided milk, but this was not their most important use. Nearly half of the book comprises tables of data on bone measurements.

J.D. Turton