2024-03-28T18:33:18+00:00https://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/jsonhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/xmlhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/rsshttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/atomhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/kmlhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/geojsonhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/qrcodehttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results2120finds-1717MAS-100017MAMMAL REMAINSUNKNOWNThis cattle mandible, or lower jaw, is comprised of two incomplete sections; cattle mandibles are rarely encountered in the archaeological record as conjoined pairs (Zhang et al. 2013). The smaller piece is an incomplete section featuring both pre-molars and molars. The larger piece is fairly complete, with the exception of teeth, extending all the way to the part in which the incisors and canines would be located. This front section is separated from the molar and pre-molar root holes by the diastema.
Providing a relative date for this cattle mandible is challenging without further examination.Cattle are arguably the most important species of livestock - providing products such as meat, milk and leather; and strength for agricultural tasks (e.g. ploughing) (Zhang et al. 2013). The domestication of cattle (Bos spp) is generally accepted to have occurred around 10,500 years ago in the Near East (Zhang et al. 2013). Cattle dentition is an important archaeological signature of ancient cattle husbandry, as dentition varies between individual cattle due to genetics, diet and the geographical location in which they were raised. The age of an animal at death can also be determined by the stage of dental development and the wear of the mandibular teeth (McGrory et al. 2012: 3224).Ecofacts294113MAS2016-10-17T00:00:00ZVertebrate remainsIn situ2016-10-18T08:58:44Z2017-01-16T15:01:10Z172152825PAS57BC1B67001A23PAS57C96ECD001E82219687EssexTQ818251.507938610.60677648workroom.fragments.went10MAS MASMASAnimal skeletal material10232IncompleteMEDIEVALx14221MODERNCoastal walkingSubmitted as wreck to the Receiver of WreckIMG_20161016_080811389.jpg64images/MASMF2017-11-06T18:23:50.425Zfinds-88MAS-100008MAMMAL REMAINSUNKNOWNThis tooth is a cattle (Bos spp) molar from the upper jaw. It has four crescentic cusps (polycuspid) forming a square crown, as well as four root elements. These characteristics are typical of selenodont teeth which are found in ruminant herbivores (e.g. cattle, goats, sheep, or deer). Viewed from the side, the crown of the tooth forms triangular profiles which, in combination with ridges, makes the sideways jaw motion of ruminants an effective way to break-up tough plant matter. Thus their function as crushing and grinding teeth.
The alternating layers of enamel, dentine and cementum are exposed. The surface of the neck of the tooth is white and grey, however, there is also a distinct bluish tinge to parts of the tooth that may indicate the presence of the iron phosphate mineral, vivianite. The presence of vivianite attached to bones is generally accepted as evidence of subfossil status.
Providing a relative date for this tooth is challenging as there are numerous reasons as to why it has not fully fossilised. It may be that not enough time has elapsed since the animal died, or the conditions in which the remains were deposited may not have been optimal for fossilisation. While the domestication of cattle occurred approximately 10,500 years ago in the Near East, it is generally accepted that domesticated cattle first appeared in England during the Neolithic (circa 4,000 BC) (Lynch et al. 2008).Ecofacts9363MAS2015-01-01T00:00:00ZVertebrate remainsWith finder2016-09-12T10:19:24Z2016-09-27T14:24:55Z811528425PAS57BC1B67001A23PAS57BC1E1600176F243674NorthumberlandNZ327955.1043857-1.50000143league.shunts.prices10MAS MASMASAnimal skeletal material10232CompleteGoodNEOLITHICx14337POST MEDIEVALx41047Coastal walkingSubmitted as wreck to the Receiver of WreckTooth01.JPG17images/MASMF2017-11-06T18:25:01.706Z