Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

MtoM - EL-ZUMA

SUDAN

collagen and organic constituents which
has resulted in considerable fragility.
Species and anatomical identification was
successful for all of the osteological
fragments. All the bones were aged and sexed,
and the morphological type was determined.
Butchery traces on the bones were also noted.
The faunal assemblage included mammals
(Mammalia) [Fig. 1]: cattle {Bosprimigenius
f. domestica), camel {Camelus dromedarius
f domestica) and small domestic ruminants
(Ovis orientalia f. domestica, Capra aegagrus
f. domestica), considered as one group of
ovicaprids owing to the low morphological
differentiation of the skeletal remains of
these species.
TUMULUS 5
Two species were represented in the two burial
chambers: 21 and 26 fragments of camel
bones in chambers 2 and 3 respectively, and
a single bone of goat/sheep in chamber 3
[Table 1\. In anatomical terms, the camel
bones were identified as coming from the
trunk {costa, sternum), the proximal limb
{scapula, femur) and a fragment of the jaw
{maxilla). The one sheep bone represents a
humerus [Table 2]. The degree of ontogenetic
development indicated in both cases that the
animals had been young specimens which had
already reached almost adult size.


Fig. 3. Cuts observed on a camel bone
(Photo M. Osypmska)

The camel bones bore traces of quartering
[Fig. 3]. The cuts were visible especially on
the ribs [Table 3]. Interestingly, part of the


Fig. 4. Selection of cattle bones from Tumulus 10
(Photo M. Osypmska)


Fig. 5. Selection of animal bonesfrom chamber 3
of Tumulus 25 (Photo M. Osypmska)

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Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007