The present work focuses on the analysis of faunal remains from the oldest layer (5./4.–2. century BC) of the Iron Age and Roman period Burnt Offerings Site (Brandopferplatz) in Pfaffenhofen-Trappeleacker. In total, 13584 animal bones and teeth were excavated, but only 3340 faunal remains weighing 1.8 kg were identified and further investigated. Based on the number of identified specimens (NISP), sheep/goat prevailed, whereas the weight analysis shows that cattle were the most important meat suppliers for the inhabitants of the site. Two archaeozoological characteristics suggest a specific selection of animals in Pfaffenhofen-Trappeleacker: a) the skeletal element representation and b) the age reconstruction for the dominant species (small ruminants and cattle). Concerning body part representation, a high number of non-meaty regions was noted; especially in the case of sheep, the cranial region and the tali were better represented. Interestingly, several tali exhibited various patterns of modification; some bear cross-hatched scratches on the ventral articular surface, whereas other tali were burnt. Although cattle remains were more equally distributed, a slightly higher number of cranium fragments has been also recorded. A comparative study with other archaeozoological assemblages points towards a specific selection of animals. This is further supported by the age at death profiles. Especially in the case of cattle, a high number of young individuals was documented. Taking in mind the exceptional character of the archaeozoological finds and the archaeological context, it is highly likely that the faunal material from Pfaffenhofen-Trappeleacker may represent the remains of symbolic/ ritual activities. Finally, considering the local ecological setting and cultural landscape, we discuss the possibility that these (ritual) practices might have been related to the alpine way of farming (Almwirtschaft).
Die Tierknochenfunde aus dem ersten Begehungshorizont des latènezeitlichen Opferplatzes von Pfaffenhofen-Trappeleacker (Oberinntal, Tirol) / U. Tecchiati, K. Saliari, E. Pucher. - In: ANNALEN DES NATURHISTORISCHEN MUSEUMS IN WIEN. SERIE A FÜR MINERALOGIE UND PETROGRAPHIE, GEOLOGIE UND PALÄONTOLOGIE, ANTHROPOLOGIE UND PRÄHISTORIE. - ISSN 0255-0091. - 127:(2026 Jan 31), pp. 69-83. [10.3897/anhmw.178040]
Die Tierknochenfunde aus dem ersten Begehungshorizont des latènezeitlichen Opferplatzes von Pfaffenhofen-Trappeleacker (Oberinntal, Tirol)
U. TecchiatiPrimo
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
2026
Abstract
The present work focuses on the analysis of faunal remains from the oldest layer (5./4.–2. century BC) of the Iron Age and Roman period Burnt Offerings Site (Brandopferplatz) in Pfaffenhofen-Trappeleacker. In total, 13584 animal bones and teeth were excavated, but only 3340 faunal remains weighing 1.8 kg were identified and further investigated. Based on the number of identified specimens (NISP), sheep/goat prevailed, whereas the weight analysis shows that cattle were the most important meat suppliers for the inhabitants of the site. Two archaeozoological characteristics suggest a specific selection of animals in Pfaffenhofen-Trappeleacker: a) the skeletal element representation and b) the age reconstruction for the dominant species (small ruminants and cattle). Concerning body part representation, a high number of non-meaty regions was noted; especially in the case of sheep, the cranial region and the tali were better represented. Interestingly, several tali exhibited various patterns of modification; some bear cross-hatched scratches on the ventral articular surface, whereas other tali were burnt. Although cattle remains were more equally distributed, a slightly higher number of cranium fragments has been also recorded. A comparative study with other archaeozoological assemblages points towards a specific selection of animals. This is further supported by the age at death profiles. Especially in the case of cattle, a high number of young individuals was documented. Taking in mind the exceptional character of the archaeozoological finds and the archaeological context, it is highly likely that the faunal material from Pfaffenhofen-Trappeleacker may represent the remains of symbolic/ ritual activities. Finally, considering the local ecological setting and cultural landscape, we discuss the possibility that these (ritual) practices might have been related to the alpine way of farming (Almwirtschaft).
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