Hunting, gathering, fishing and herding: Animal exploitation in Sandy Flanders (NW Belgium) during the second half of the fifth millennium BC. (June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Neer, Wim; Ervynck, Anton; Lentacker, An; Bastiaens, Jan; Deforce, Koen; Thieren, Els; Sergant, Joris; Crombé, Philippe
• Is Part Of: Environmental archaeology. Volume 18:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 87
• Page End: 101
• Publication Date: 2013-06
• Subjects: Mesolithic – Neolithic transition -- Swifterbant culture -- Animal husbandry -- Wetland ecology; Environmental archaeology -- Periodicals; Environmental archaeology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Animal remains (Archaeology) -- Periodicals; Plant remains (Archaeology) -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1179/1461410313Z.00000000032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-4103

Abstract

Abstract : At Doel, in the lower basin of the river Scheldt, excavations have revealed camp sites of the Swifterbant culture dating back to the second half of the fifth millennium BC. They document the transition period from the Late Mesolithic to the Early Neolithic in Sandy Flanders (NW Belgium). The sites were situated on the top of sandy ridges which were covered with an alluvial hardwood forest vegetation and surrounded by wetlands. Only burnt animal remains survived at the sites, illustrating (seasonal) fishing and hunting. In addition, botanical evidence indicates the herding of domestic mammals. The finds are of importance for the reconstruction of the chronological development of the food economy of the Swifterbant culture.