Geo&Bio (Dec 2022)
Eggshells from archaeological sites in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine)
Abstract
Subfossil eggshell finds are useful for many research purposes in various branches of science (zoology, history, archaeology, cultural studies, etc.). Under certain circumstances, eggshells can indicate the season in which the occupation layer formed. Since 2015, zooarchaeological materials from 53 sites have been deposited in the National Museum of Natural History NAS of Ukraine. There were eggshell fragments from 21 sites, at least 288 eggs (3809 fragments). Most of them are excavations of kitchen waste, sometimes graves or natural Holocene taphocoenoses. Accordingly, the eggshell is not a rare zooarchaeological material in sites dated from two thousand years ago and later, but rather common. However, it is difficult to detect in occupation layer without applying special methods (e.g. flotation). Together with the finds of the 20th century, the museum collection contains at least 302 eggs (4084 fragments) dating from Antiquity to the 19th century CE. Most of the finds were found during excavations in Rivne Oblast, Ukraine, in sites dated to the 16th–19th century CE. In most cases, the thickness of the fragments corresponds to the eggs of poultry. Identification is confirmed by the presence of poultry bones in the occupation layers. Shell fragments of chicken (Gallus gallus f. domestica) and goose (Anser anser f. domesticus) eggs can be identified. Measuring shell thickness does not accurately distinguish between remains of duck (Anas platyrhynchos f. domesticus), turkey (Meleagris gallopavo f. domesticus), and large chicken eggs. Eggshells may be indirect evidence of pigeon keeping. Among the wild species, fragments of swan (Cygnus cygnus/Cygnus olor) eggs in the ancient colony of Olbia can be identified. The use of measurements of shell thickness and egg diameter made it possible to identify with a high degree of probability the remains of eggs of the common shelduck (cf. Tadorna tadorna) on the site of an abandoned ancient settlement in the Crimea. A large number of finds suitable for identification indicates that this type of remains is of scientific value and should be stored in the same way as other zooarchaeological materials.
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