Matrilines in Neolithic cattle from Orkney, Scotland reveals complex husbandry patterns of ancestry

Fraser, S., Elsner, J., Hamilton, W. D. , Sayle, K. L. , Schlumbaum, A. and Bartosiewicz, L. (2017) Matrilines in Neolithic cattle from Orkney, Scotland reveals complex husbandry patterns of ancestry. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 14, pp. 46-54. (doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.04.022)

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Abstract

mtDNA, isotopic and archaeozoological analyses of cattle teeth and bones from the Late Neolithic site of Links of Noltland, Orkney, Scotland revealed these animals followed similar grazing regimes but displayed diverse genetic origins and included one cattle skull that carried an aurochs (wild cattle) genetic haplotype. Morphometric analyses indicate the presence of some cattle larger than published dimensions of Neolithic domestic cattle. Several explanations for these finding are possible but may be the evidence of a complex pattern of domestic cattle introductions into Neolithic Orkney and interbreeding between domestic and wild cattle.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sayle, Dr Kerry and Hamilton, Professor Derek
Authors: Fraser, S., Elsner, J., Hamilton, W. D., Sayle, K. L., Schlumbaum, A., and Bartosiewicz, L.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Publisher:Elsevier B.V.
ISSN:2352-409X
Published Online:27 May 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd.
First Published:First published in Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 14: 46-54
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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