Life, Death and Teeth of Late Neolithic Sheep and Red Deer Excavated at Ness of Brodgar, Orkney Islands (UK)

Analysis of sheep and red deer remains from the Ness of Brodgar site in Orkney reveals distinct differences in husbandry practices during the late Neolithic period. Approximately half of the sheep were slaughtered upon reaching maturity, indicating a focus on meat production. Stable isotope analysis further shows that some sheep consumed seaweed in winter, likely due to anthropogenic influences restricting red deer access to such resources. This suggests varied sheep management strategies across Orkney, challenging the notion of ubiquitous adaptation to seaweed consumption during this era.

Blanz, M., Balasse, M., Card, N., Ascough, P., Fiorillo, D., Taggart, M. A., Feldmann, J., & Mainland, I. (2022). Life, Death and Teeth of Late Neolithic Sheep and Red Deer Excavated at Ness of Brodgar, Orkney Islands (UK). Environmental Archaeology, 29(6), 465–477. https://doi.org/10.1080/14614103.2022.2146320