Walking on Eggshells: A Study of Egg Use in Anglo-Scandinavian York Based on Eggshell Identification Using ZooMS

John R. M. Stewart*, Richard B. Allen, Andrew K. G. Jones, T. Kendall, K. E. H. Penkman, B. Demarchi, T. O'Connor, M. J. Collins

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

20 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Eggshell is a potentially common archaeological resource, but it tends to be ignored. The recent development of ZooMS (zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry) as a rapid and robust system for taxonomic identification of preserved eggshell fragments has facilitated new insights into patterns of egg use in the past. This paper presents a case study of egg use at two sites in Anglo-Scandinavian York (Hungate and Coppergate). The results described below suggest that the relative prevalence of goose eggshell may become a useful indicator of status, consistent with other characteristics of the two sites, and also demonstrate an apparent lack of exploitation of eggs of wild birds in York during the Anglo-Scandinavian period. These results highlight the interpretative potential of eggshell, which can now begin to be more fully explored.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology
Vol/bind24
Udgave nummer3
Sider (fra-til)247-255
Antal sider9
ISSN1047-482X
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2014
Udgivet eksterntJa

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