How do you tell a wild pig from a domestic one in the archaeological record?
What do you mean, my mother was a wild sow? European domestic pig, descendant of the European wild boar. Jeff Veitch, Durham University
A recent article in the Journal of World History provides us with a review of the historical and modern techniques, and each of their benefits and pitfalls. "Distinguishing Wild Boar from Domestic Pigs in Prehistory: A Review of Approaches and Recent Results" is a very useful, densely presented article for anyone interested in pigs, or interested in the domestication of animals in general.
- Domestication of Pigs, including a summary of the research reported by Rowley-Conwy, Albarella and Dobney earlier this year.
- Top Five Signs of Domestication in Animals
Rowley-Conwy P, Albarella U, and Dobney K. 2012. Distinguishing Wild Boar from Domestic Pigs in Prehistory: A Review of Approaches and Recent Results. Journal of World Prehistory 25:1-44.
Comments
Too bad I have to pay $40 to read it!