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Estimating the Age- and Season-of-Death for Wild Equids: a Comparison of Techniques Utilising a Sample from the Late Neolithic Site of Bad Buchau-Dullenried, Germany Cover

Estimating the Age- and Season-of-Death for Wild Equids: a Comparison of Techniques Utilising a Sample from the Late Neolithic Site of Bad Buchau-Dullenried, Germany

Open Access
|Mar 2015

Figures & Tables

Table 1

General model of annual formation of cementum layering in accordance with time of year (Burke 1995; Burke and Castinat 1995; McKinley and Burke 2000; Adapted from: McKinley and Shead, unpublished report).

SeasonDescriptionIncrement ratio (ultimate to penultimate)
SpringBy the end of March, some specimens have experienced incipient deposition of a growth zone (i.e. <10% of the ultimate growth zone when compared to the penultimate growth zone). Incipient deposition of growth zone layer occurs in most samples before mid-June.0–10%
SummerBy mid-June, individuals are into their growth period. From this time to approximately the end of August, the majority of individuals will exhibit 10–90% of the ultimate growth zone, compared with the penultimate growth zone.10–90%
FallFrom the end of August to the end of December, most individuals will have 90–100% of a growth zone deposited compared to the previous year’s growth zone.90–100%
WinterBetween the end of December and the end of March, most individuals will experience a significant slow-down or arrest in growth.100%
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Figure 1

Anatomical tooth diagram for thin-section preparation; A) crown, B) ECJ, C) cementum location layer on root just below the gum line, and D) cementum location layer on upper mid-root (i.e., reserve crown). Right UP3, buccal aspect.

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Figure 2

Thin-section cut orientation; A) initial cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upper-third of the tooth, B) section orientation that captures the gum line portion, C) section orientation that captures just below the gum line, and D) an illustration showing the cut perpendicular to the cementum surface on the long axis of the tooth (note that depending on the external surface, the plain of cut is adjusted so that the cementum increments are sliced as perpendicular as possible). Same tooth as Figure 1. Upper Right P3, buccal and occlucal aspects.

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Figure 3

Caliper and Line Drag tools.

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Figure 4

Archaeological sites located in the Federsee Basin: 1 - Bad Schussenried-Riedschachen I-III; 2 - Bad Schussenried-Aichbühl; 3 - Bad Buchau-Taubried; 4 Bad Buchau-Dullenried; 5 - „Wasserburg“ Buchau; 6 - Bad Buchau-Siedlung Forschner; 7 - Alleshausen-Ödenahlen; 8 - Alleshausen-Hartöschle; 9 - Seekirch-Stockwiesen; 10 - Seekirch-Achwiesen; 11 - Alleshausen-Grundwiesen; 12 - Alleshausen-Täschenwiesen; 13 - Bad Buchau-Torwiesen II; 14 - Bad Buchau-Torwiesen I; 15 - Bad Buchau-Bachwiesen III; 16 - Bad Buchau-Bachwiesen I; 17 - Bad Buchau-Bachwiesen II; 18 - Bad Buchau-Bachwiesen IV; 19 - Oggelshausen-Bruckgraben. © and reprinted with permission from Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Baden-Württemberg. Adapted from Schlichtherle et al. 2013, figure 7b. Illustrator: Almut Kalkowski.

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Figure 5

Bad Buchau-Dullenried: Intra-site spatial organisation of the site with the wooden floor constructions of at least nine houses (cf. Bollacher 2001, Abb. 31). © and reprinted with permisison from Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Baden-Württemberg. Illustrator: Helmut Schlichtherle.

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Figure 6

Bad Buchau-Dullenried: Reconstruction of four hypothetical occupation phases: Similarly oriented houses are supposed to be built and used simultaneously. © and reprinted with permisison from Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Baden-Württemberg. Original publication: Schlichtherle 2004, page 19.

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Figure 7

Bad Buchau-Dullenried: 2-D Dispersion Calibration of radiocarbon data on horse bones (cf. Weniger et al. 2011). Image created by Karlheinz Steppan.

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Figure 8

Photograph of the four horse samples before thin-sectioning. A) Du-A_1, B) Du-A_2, C) Du-A_3, D)Du-A_4.

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Figure 9

Thin-section of DU-A-1, UP2: A) gum line image, B) mid-root image.

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Figure 10

Thin-section of DU-A-1, UP3: A) gum line image, B) mid-root image.

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Figure 11

Thin-section of DU-A-1, UP4: A) gum line image, B) mid-root image.

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Figure 12

Thin-section of DU-A-3, LM1: A) gum line image, B) mid-root image.

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Figure 13

Thin-section of DU-A-3, LM2: A) gum line image, B) mid-root image.

Table 2

Radiocarbon dated charcoal and horse bone samples.

SpeciesElementLabCode14C Age BP
CharcoalHd-218924463 ± 22
CharcoalHd-222094496 ± 25
Equus ferusMandibleUtC-114674355 ± 48
Equus ferusScapulaUtC-114684450 ± 50
Equus ferusMetacarpal IIIUtC-114694480 ± 50
Equus ferusMandibleErl-97664420 ± 48
Equus ferusMandibleErl-97674384 ± 48
Equus ferusMandibleErl-97684461 ± 46
Equus ferusMandibleErl-97694443 ± 47
Table 3

Number and weight of the analysed animal bones.

SpeciesNISP_1NISP_1 %NISP_1 %Weight [g]Weight %Weight %Mean weight
Indet.10.791.100.011.10
Indet. pig size10.792.100.022.10
Total indet.21.593.20.031.60
Red deer (Cervus elaphus)75.565.65130.601.181.1818.66
Aurochs (Bos primigenius)2519.8420.163463.8031.4231.43138.55
Wild horse (Equus ferus)5946.8347.585521.4050.0850.0993.58
Total wild mammals9172.2273.399115.882.6882.70100.17
Wild boar or domestic pig32.382.4239.900.360.3613.30
Aurochs or cattle97.147.26427.503.883.8847.50
Large wild or domestic ruminants118.738.87234.602.132.1321.33
Small wild or domestic ruminants10.790.814.300.040.044.30
Total wild or domestic mammals2419.0519.35706.36.416.4129.43
Dog (Canis familiaris)10.790.814.500.040.044.50
Cattle (Bos taurus)86.356.451195.5010.8410.85149.44
Total domestic mammals97.147.26120010.8810.89133.33
Total det.12498.41100.0011022.199.97100.0088.89
Total126100.0011025.3100.0087.50
Red deer - shed antler7626.9089.56
Catfish (Silurus glanis)418.404.60
Total13711670.685.19
Table 4

Anatomical description of all elements.

Catalogue #Other #ElementTooth TypeSideRoot #
Du-A-1NAMaxillaP2R3
Du-A-1NAMaxillaP3R3
Du-A-1NAMaxillaP4R3
Du-A-2NAMaxillaP2L3
Du-A-3Du-B/A-CuMandibleM1R2
Du-A-3Du-B/A-CuMandibleM2R2
Du-A-3Du-B/A-CuMandibleM3R3
Du-A-4Du-B/A-CuMandibleM1R2
Du-A-4Du-BMandibleM2R2
Du-A-4Du-BMandibleM3R3

[i] NA - Not applicable.

Table 5

Age distribution based on incisor and cheek tooth eruption and wear systems.

Tooth eruption (Hoppe et al. 2004)Incisor wear (Silver 1969)Levine (1982) cheek tooth wear system age
Catalogue #Tooth Type*Age interval**MD Crown (mm) 1BL Crown Height (mm) 1M Crown Height (mm) 1D Crown Height (mm) 1B Crown Height (mm) 1L Crown Height (mm) 1Saddle Height (mm) 2Maximum tooth height (mm) 3Estimated age**,4Average age**
Du-A-1UP2>2.5–3 Y5 - 6 Y36.2524.56NA10.5910.9310.8131.2942.228–10 Y8 Y
Du-A-1UP3>2.5–3 Y5 - 6 Y29.3724.86.279.118.51NA46.4855.597–9 Y8 Y
Du-A-1UP4>3.5–4 Y5 - 6 Y27.926.98003.28NA58.1261.47–8 Y8 Y
Du-A-2UP2>2.5–3 Y5 - 6 Y36.0524.61NANANA4.4948.4652.957–8 Y7.5 Y
Du-A-3LM1>8–12 MNA32.8234.75NA4.944.336.2371.777.935–6 Y5 Y
Du-A-3LM2>22–26 MNA27.7115.74.917.566.749.9167.7977.74–5 Y5 Y
Du-A-3LM3>3.5–4 YNA29.313.44NA8.146.274.5464.2472.385–6 Y5 Y
Du-A-4LM1>8–12 MNA28.6217.4310.338.087.993.2866.7177.044–5 Y5 Y
Du-A-4LM2>22–26 MNA27.0617.29.8313.826.3710.4662.6376.454–5 Y5 Y
Du-A-4<M3>3.5–4 YNA15.0330.7614.837.459.567.7359.974.735–6 Y5 Y

[i] NA - Not applicable; * - ‘U’ indicates maxillary position, ‘L’ indicates mandibular position; ** - ‘Y’ indicates years, ‘M’ indicates months 1 - anatomical abbreviaitons: M-mesial, B-buccal, L-lingual; 2 - distance of saddle - crown at ECJ; 3 - excluding root - saddle-crown height; 4 - See Levine 1982, appendix IIIa, p. 249.

Table 6

Age of specimens based on thin-section techniques (manual, line histogram and automated).

Gumline dataManual counting of cementum annuli ageing*Line histogram counting of cementum technique*Digital automated counting of cementum ageing*
Catalogue #ElementTooth TypeGumline Specimen Thickness Mes (µm)Gumline Specimen Thickness Dis (µm)Gumline Optical Manual Counts**Upper Root Optical Manual CountsGumline Optical Manual Counts Estimated Ages (Years)Upper Root Optical Manual Counts Estimated Ages (Years)Gumline Digital Line Histogram CountsUpper Root Digital Line Histogram CountsGumline Digital Line Histogram Estimated Ages (Years)Upper Root Digital Line Histogram Estimated Ages (Years)Gumline Digital Automated Increment CountsUpper Root Digital Automated Increment CountsGumline Digital Automated Increment Estimated Ages (Years)Upper Root Digital Automated Increment Estimated Ages (Years)
Du-A-1MaxillaP21.621.063678.5 to 99.5 to 10799.5 to 1011.5 to 1281010.5 to 1112.5 to 13
Du-A-1MaxillaP31.0751.068710.5 to 119.5 to 109911.5 to 1211.5 to 1210812.5 to 1310.5 to 11
Du-A-1MaxillaP41.781.0610913.5 to 1412.5 to 13101013.5 to 1413.5 to 14101013.5 to 1413.5 to 14
Du-A-2MaxillaP21.0671.81UNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUN
Du-A-3MandibleM11.0511.063UN10UN11UN9UN10UN9UN10
Du-A-3MandibleM21.081.078710.5 to 109.5 to 108913 to 1411.5 to 12111011.5 to 1311.5 to 12
Du-A-3MandibleM31.081.76598.5 to 912.5 to 13UN9UN12.5 to 13699.5 to 1012.5 to 13
Du-A-4MandibleM11.811.06710UN11UN9UN10UN9UN10UN
Du-A-4MandibleM21.081.769811 to 1210.5 to 1110912.5 to 1310.5 to 1110911.5 to 1210.5 to 11
Du-A-4MandibleM31.081.739812.5 to 1312.5 to 1310912.5 to 1312.5 to 13101013.5 to 1413.5 to 14

[i] Notes: * Only the number of dark increments are counted.

UN - Unidentifiable.

Table 7

All techniques for estimation of age of specimens.

Tooth eruption ageIncisor tooth eruption and wearLevine cheek tooth eruption and wearManual counting of cementum annuli ageing*Line histogram counting of cementum technique*Digital automated counting of cementum ageing*All cementum ageing techniques combined**
Catalogue #ElementTooth TypeTooth eruption age (Hope et al. 2004)Age based upon incisor tooth wear (cf. Silver 1969)Estimated age based on Levine method (1982, appendix IIIa)Average age estimated for individual based on LevineGumline Optical Manual Counts Estimated Ages (Years)Upper Root Optical Manual Counts Estimated Ages (Years)Gumline Digital Line Histogram Estimated Ages (Years)Upper Root Digital Line Histogram Estimated Ages (Years)Gumline Digital Automated Increment Estimated Ages (Years)Upper Root Digital Automated Increment Estimated Ages (Years)Average Estimated Age-All TechniquesAverage Estimated Age for Individual (Manual)Average Estimated Age for Individual (Line)Average Estimated Age for Individual (Digita/Automated)Probable age (all cementum techniques averaged)
Du-A-1MaxillaP2>2.5–3 Y5-6 Y8–10 Y8 Y8.5 to 99.5 to 109.5 to 1011.5 to 1210.5 to 1112.5 to 1310.3 to 10.89 to 9.510.5 to 1111.5 to 1210.825
Du-A-1MaxillaP3>2.5–3 Y5-6 Y7–9 Y8 Y10.5 to 119.5 to 1011.5 to 1211.5 to 1212.5 to 1310.5 to 1111 to 11.511.25 to 1211.5 to 1211.5 to 1211.59375
Du-A-1MaxillaP4>3.5–4 Y5-6 Y7–8 Y8 Y13.5 to 1412.5 to 1313.5 to 1413.5 to 1413.5 to 1413.5 to 1411.6 to 13.813 to 13.513.5 to 1413.5 to 1413.6375
Du-A-2MaxillaP2>2.5–3 Y5-6 Y7–8 Y7.5 YUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUN
Du-A-3MandibleM1>8–12 MNA5–6 Y5 YUN11UN10UN1010.311101010.325
Du-A-3MandibleM2>22–26 MNA4–5 Y5 Y10.5 to 109.5 to 1013 to 1411.5 to 1211.5 to 1311.5 to 1211.25 to 11.81012.25 to 1311.5 to 12.511.5375
Du-A-3MandibleM3>3.5–4 YNA5–6 Y5 Y8.5 to 912.5 to 13UN12.5 to 139.5 to 1012.5 to 1311 to 11.510.5 to 1112.5 to 1311 to 11.511.5
Du-A-4MandibleM1>8–12 MNA4–5 Y5 Y11UN10UN10UN10.311101010.325
Du-A-4MandibleM2>22–26 MNA4–5 Y5 Y11 to 1210.5 to 1112.5 to 1310.5 to 1111.5 to 1210.5 to 1111 to 11.610.75 to 11.611.5 to 1211 to 11.511.5125
Du-A-4MandibleM3>3.5–4 YNA5–6 Y5 Y12.5 to 1312.5 to 1312.5 to 1312.5 to 1313.5 to 1413.5 to 1412.8 to 13.312.5 to 1312.5 to 1313.5 to 1413.075

[i] Notes: NA - Not applicable.

UN - Unidentifiable.

* Only the number of dark increments are counted.

** All ageing techniques combined excludes incisor and cheek tooth wear.

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Figure 14

Thin-section of DU-A-3, LM3: A) gum line image, B) mid-root image.

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Figure 15

Thin-section of DU-A-4, LM1: A) gum line image, B) mid-root image.

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Figure 16

Thin-section of DU-A-4, LM2: A) gum line image, B) mid-root image.

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Figure 17

Thin-section of DU-A-4, LM3: A) gum line image, B) mid-root image.

Table 8

Seasonality related data based on thin-sectioning of cementum techniques (manual, line histogram and automated).

Catalogue #ElementTooth TypeMicroscopic Taphonomic DamageManual seasonality technique*Our analysisLine histogram seasonality technique*Our analysisDigital automated seasonality technique*Our analysisSeason of death (all techniques)Our analysis
Gumline Optical Manual Season RatioUpper Root Optical Manual Season RatioSeaon of deathGumline Line Histogram IncrementRatio (Burke and/or Lieberman)Upper Root Line Histogram Increment Ratio (Burke and/or Lieberman)Seaon of deathGumline Digital Pentultimate Increment Width (pixels)Upper Root Digital Pentultimate Increment Width (pixels)Gumline Digital Ultimate Increment Width (pixels)Upper Root Digital Ultimate Increment Width (pixels)Gumline Digital Increment RatioUpper Root Digital Increment RatioSeaon of deathGumline Pentultimate Increment ColourUpper Root Pentultimate Increment ColourGumline Outer Increment Lumenance ProfileUpper Root Outer Increment Lumenance ProfileProbable Seaon of death
Du-A-1MaxillaP200.9UNVery late Summer/early Fall0.80.8Late Summer35UN22UN0.99UNLate Fall or early WinterDarkDarkValleyValleyLate Fall or early Winter
Du-A-1MaxillaP300.8UNVery late Summer/early Fall0.80.9Late Summer323427210.84UNLate Fall or early WinterDarkDarkValleyValleyLate Fall or early Winter
Du-A-1MaxillaP40UNUNUNUN0.7UN26UN22UN0.84UNLate Fall or early WinterDarkDarkValleyValleyLate Fall or early Winter
Du-A-2MaxillaP2Specimen damaged beyond usabilityUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNUNDarkDarkUNUNUN
Du-A-3MandibleM10UN1WinterUN0.8Late Summer/Late FallUNUNUN9UN9Late Fall/Early WinterDarkDarkValleyValleyLate Fall/early Winter
Du-A-3MandibleM200.90.9Winter0.80.7Late Summer/Late Fall551346120.610.9Late Summer/Late FallDarkDarkValleyValleyLate Summer/early Winter
Du-A-3MandibleM3011Winter0.90.9Late Summer/Late Fall2522231510.7Late Summer/Late FallDarkDarkValleyValleyLate Summer/early Winter
Du-A-4MandibleM1Increments difficult to see0.9UNWinter0.80.8Late Summer/early Winter473540350.730.7Late Summer/early WinterDarkDarkValleyValleyLate Summer/early Winter
Du-A-4MandibleM20UN1WinterUN0.9Late Summer/early WinterUN24UN21UN0.9Late Summer/early WinterDarkDarkValleyValleyLate Summer/early Winter
Du-A-4MandibleM300.9UNWinter0.70.8Late Summer/early Winter18UN16UN0.73UNLate Summer/early WinterDarkDarkValleyValleyLate Summer/early Winter

[i] Notes: NA - Not applicable.

* Only the number of dark increments are counted.

UN - Unidentifiable.

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Appendix 1A

Photograph of specimen Du-A-1, UPM2, various views.

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Appendix 1B

Photograph of specimen Du-A-1, UPM3, various views.

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Appendix 1C

Photograph of specimen Du-A-1, UPM4, lingual view.

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Appendix 2

Photograph of specimen Du-A-2, LPM2, various views.

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Appendix 3A

Photograph of specimen Du-A-3, LM1, various views.

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Appendix 3B

Photograph of specimen Du-A-3, LM2, various views.

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Appendix 3C

Photograph of specimen Du-A-3, LM3, various views.

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Appendix 4A

Photograph of specimen Du-A-4, LM1, various views.

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Appendix 4B

Photograph of specimen Du-A-4, LM2, various views.

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Appendix 4C

Photograph of specimen Du-A-4, LM3, various views.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/oq.ac | Journal eISSN: 2055-298X
Language: English
Published on: Mar 9, 2015
Published by: Ubiquity Press
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

© 2015 Haskel J Greenfield, N Collin Moore, Karlheinz Steppan, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.