Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (15.2003(2004))

BANGANARTI

SUDAN

FAUNAL REMAINS FROM THE
BANGANARTI CHURCH

Marta Osypinska

Faunal material originated from all areas of
the Banganarti church sire and from all
levels. In total, 1234 animal bone fragments
were analyzed. Most of this was post-
consumption waste, but non-consumption
RESEARCH
Bones were studied for species and
anatomical identification, as well as sex
and age, wherever diagnostic attributes
allowed. Statistical analyses were carried
out concerning species, anatomy and age of
the animals, and complete bones were
subjected to osteometrical measurements
for the purpose of animal morphology
studies. The bones were also examined for
pathological changes, consumption and
tool marks.

pieces were also noted. Destructive causes
other than human consumption included
depositional factors, the main reason for
bone fragility being considerable collagen
loss due to a hot dry climate.
METHODS
To facilitate analysis and interpretation,
the fragments were divided into three groups
depending on their find context: Group 1
(6th-first half of 10th century) from the.
Lower Church and layers below the floor of
Upper Church; Group II (10th-13th century)
from Upper Church (layers between floor
and remains of collapsed vault); Group III
(13th-c. 18th century), squatter occupation
within the partly ruined church through all
later layers to ground surface.

EXAMINATION RESULTS

Remains of mammals, birds, fish and
oysters were recognized in all three groups,
mammals being the most widely
represented. Bird and oyster remains were
much less in evidence. Material identified
anatomically and to species comprised
84.11% of the total recovered. The bones
of small ruminants, sheep and goat,
constituted practically half the sample
(52.90%). The remaining domesticated

mammal species appeared in much smaller
quantities. The most frequent wild
mammals were bat (2.30%), gazelle
(2/30%) and rodents (0.70%). The
remaining material represented birds, fish
and oyster (less than 6% of the total).
ANATOMY
The anatomical distribution of the remains
of sheep, goat and cattle, the three most

1) Detailed results including charts and osteometrical measurements will be published in the final report.

261