Humans, animals, and the landscape in Neolithic Koutroulou Magoula, Central Greece: An approach through micromorphology and plant remains in dung

This paper examines evidence on animal diet through the study of dung and its contents in order to discuss animal-related mobility and the use of ecological resources at Neolithic Koutroulou Magoula in central Greece. Micromorphological analysis of intact sediments was employed in order to identify the presence of animal dung in archaeological deposits, thereby providing direct evidence of animal diet. Building on these observations, phytolith and archaeobotanical analyses were used to further investigate plant content of dung-rich deposits. Micromorphology showed that dung was a major contributor to sediment accumulation at the site. It was encountered in trampled (likely penning) deposits, secondary refuse accumulations, and insitu fuel. It was also found that the dung is extremely rich in phytoliths, including wild-grass- and reedderived morphotypes and domesticated cereals. Plant macroremains from dung-rich contexts revealed a similarly diverse picture of animal diet, including cereals, weeds, and fruits. It is thereby suggested that a combination of animal foddering and grazing practices were employed by the inhabitants of Koutroulou. The integration of micromorphology with archaeobotanical, zooarchaeological, and other analytical methods, as well as with broader archaeological, on-site and off-site data, provides a more holistic understanding of human and animal relationships with the environment.