Equus asinus remains (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from the protohistoric site of Pech Maho (Sigean, South of France) and variation in donkey size during the Iron Age

Nicolas Boulbes (1, 2) , Armelle Gardeisen (1)

1 ASM - Archéologie des Sociétés Méditerranéennes
2 HNHP - Histoire naturelle de l'Homme préhistorique

The equid deposits exhumed from the Pech Maho oppidum are a unique source of information for documenting the morphology of these animals during the Iron Age. About a hundred remains were attributed to the domestic donkey, which is the focus of this study, and confirm the presence of this species in the south of Gaul before Romanisation. Up until now, only rare elements of this species had been recorded throughout the territory. The donkey from Pech Maho is characterised by its small size with a withers height of less than 1 m (0.96) and a weight of about 100 kilos. Archaeological comparisons show that this small size was common during the Iron Age in the North Mediterranean Basin.

Domaines: Archéologie et Préhistoire; Zoologie des vertébrés; Environnement et Société

Nicolas Boulbes, Armelle Gardeisen. Equus asinus remains (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from the protohistoric site of Pech Maho (Sigean, South of France) and variation in donkey size during the Iron Age. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2018, 28 (4), pp.428-438. ⟨10.1002/oa.2670⟩. ⟨halshs-01975112⟩