부산대학교 도서관

This study focuses on the role of faunal remains in funerary rituals in the Middle Neolithic necropolis of Bòbila Madurell (Sant Quirze del Vallès, Barcelona) ("Madurell Sur" and "Madurell Ferrocarril" sectors). Faunal remains recovered in these burials a priori inform about the different uses of animals in funerary rituals. Complete and partial anatomical connections, isolated elements, and/or bone fragments were recovered. These may appear directly associated with human remains or scattered among the structures' fill. Animal remains were analyzed using zooarchaeological and taphonomic methods: anatomical and taxonomical composition, age of death, and human modifications. The data obtained were linked to burial type and human remains' sex and age. Results show that the economic importance of domestic animals for Middle Neolithic groups would also cover their symbolic and funerary world. In Bòbila Madurell, animals could be offerings and play a part in feasts. In addition, faunal data confirm the ritual diversity and the possible social differentiation of these groups previously proposed by other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]