Gli uccelli a Shahr-I Sokhta (Iran):buoni da mangiare, buoni per lavorare

At Shahr-i Sokhta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Iran, birds played a significant but underappreciated role during the Bronze Age. While their contribution to diet was minimal—dominated by species like the coot (Fulica atra) and tufted duck (Aythia ferina)—their long bones were crafted into specialized tools, possibly used for decorating pottery. The discovery of these tools, along with production waste, sheds light on ancient manufacturing techniques. Notably, the presence of non-edible cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) bones in urban contexts suggests a rudimentary form of domestication, potentially for fishing in shallow waters. This finding, derived from archaeozoological analyses conducted as part of the MAIPS project, challenges conventional views on the economic significance of birds in ancient societies.

Potenza, A. (2025). Gli uccelli a Shahr-I Sokhta (Iran):buoni da mangiare, buoni per lavorare. Archaeofauna, 34(1). https://doi.org/10.15366/archaeofauna2025.34.1.041