ANCIENT ANIMAL HUSBANDRY IN THE KELES VALLEY (Based on archaeozoological materials from the Kultobe site)

Abstract

The article presents the results of a laboratory analysis of archaeozoological materials found in 2023 in the cultural layer of the Kultobe settlement (Keles district, Turkestan region), dated to the Kangju period. The aim of the study was to identify cultural-economic types in the Keles Valley, understand the dynamics of ancient animal husbandry and hunting practices in the region, and analyze the composition of the paleo-fauna. During the research, the primary composition of archaeozoological materials by animal species was determined. Skeletal elements of domestic ungulates, skeletal parts, morphological characteristics (exterior features, age differences), the consumption volume of meat by the inhabitants, the season of animal slaughter, as well as certain modifications and pathologies found on the bones, were studied. A total of 1,482 mammal bones were examined, of which 1,156 (78%) were identified to specific species. The osteological collection predominantly consisted of domestic animal bones (97.4%), though wild mammal bones (1.9%) were also found. The wild fauna included remains of ungulates such as red deer (Cervus elaphus) and argali (Ovis ammon), as well as bones of fox (Vulpes vulpes), fish (Pisces), and birds (Aves). Among the domestic animal remains, the largest proportion consisted of small ruminants (sheep and goats) – 59.8%. Cattle accounted for 32.3%, while horse bones made up 6.9%. A smaller number of camel bones and a skeletal element of a cat were also identified. Most small ruminants were slaughtered at the age of 1–2.5 years, while cattle were more commonly used for meat after reaching 2.5 years. The results of studying tooth wear stages on the lower jaws of small ruminants indicated that animal slaughter predominantly took place during the warm season of the year.