Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (15.2003(2004))

WEST SAQQARA

EGYPT

WEST SAQQARA
ANIMAL BONE REPORT, 2003

Salima Ikram

Not all the animal bones excavated in the
2003 season were studied. This pre-
liminary report merely provides some
information on the 52 bones that were
examined in the course of two days. As
usual, the method of collection was by
hand, followed by a basic identification
and analysis that includes: taxon, element,
age, portion, work/butchery, gnawing,
burning, and erosion pattern.
Most of the bones came from the
entrance to Chapel 15 (18 bones), followed
by 10 bones from sector 1906, and another
sixs from 1907. Seven bones from pottery
bag K03-27 constituted the remainder of
the sample.
Of all the identifiable taxa, the animal
that was represented most extensively was
surprisingly the pig (Sus scrofa — 19),
followed by cattle (Bos taurus — 7), with one
dog (Cams familiaris) and one fish (Lates
niloticus) making up the rest of the
identifiable sample. The remaining bones
belonged to large (1), medium-to-large (2)
and medium-sized mammals, the latter
being in the majority (21); these were
presumably sheep or goats, as pig bones are
relatively easy to distinguish.
Although the largest number of bones
came from pigs, the minimum number of
individuals is only 10, as many of the
elements identified came from mandibles
and maxillae. It is interesting to note that
the majority of pig remains were from the
head. The cattle bones represented a more

diverse spread of elements, including
phalanges, mandible, horn cores, pelvis,
and scapula. It is surprising, however, that
no sizable limb-bones were recovered. The
greatest variety, although it, too, was
limited, came from the medium-sized
mammals. These elements included pelvic
fragments, vertebrae, long bones, ribs and
scapulae.
The ages of the few identified animals
tended toward the juvenile. Cattle seemed
to be under three years of age, and pigs
varied from eight months (perhaps even
younger?) to a year. Clearly young flesh
was prized.
The distribution of animals through
the areas was fairly even, save for the dog,
the large mammal (both from the entrance
to Chapel 16) and the fish (entrance to
Chapel 15). The only area in which, to
date, pig bones have not appeared is the
area from which the pottery bag K03-27
originated.
This exceedingly preliminary report
has produced some interesting results with
regard to the activities carried out at this
site. Generally, offerings are thought of as
being from cattle, with sheep and goat
providing a secondary source of food
offering. In this group of tombs, this does
not necessarily seem to be true. Cattle
certainly play a part in the offerings, but
not necessarily a major one, as heads and
feet provide little food although they are
immediately recognizable, and the former

131