Functionality and economic uses of animals in Early Iron Age Central Iberia

Abstract

Discussions about herding economy during the Early Iron Age in central Iberia are still rather limited in historiographic research due to the reduced number and low representation of the faunal samples available. The use of zooarchaeological and taphonomic methodology to analyse a series of samples from recently studied sites resulted in a comprehensive summary of the use of fauna in these societies. Conclusions led to a contrasted interpretation of the functionality and use of domestic animals during the Early Iron Age in the Tajo middle valley, presenting them as more than mere food supplies.