Redefining the timing and circumstances of the chicken's introduction to Europe and north-west Africa

Julia Best, Sean Doherty, Ian Armit, Zlatozar Boev, Lindsey Buster, Barry Cunliffe, Alison Foster, Ben Frimet, Sheila Hamilton-Dyer, Tom Higham, Ophelie Lebrasseur, Holly Miller, Joris Peters, Michael Seigle, Caroline Skelton, Rob Symmons, Richard Thomas, Angela Trentacoste, Mark Maltby, Greger LarsonNaomi Sykes

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Little is known about the early history of the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), including the timing and circumstances of its introduction into new cultural environments. To evaluate its spatio-temporal spread across Eurasia and north-west Africa, the authors radiocarbon dated 23 chicken bones from presumed early contexts. Three-quarters returned dates later than those suggested by stratigraphy, indicating the importance of direct dating. The results indicate that chickens did not arrive in Europe until the first millennium BC. Moreover, a consistent time-lag between the introduction of chickens and their consumption by humans suggests that these animals were initially regarded as exotica and only several centuries later recognised as a source of 'food'.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)868-882
Number of pages15
JournalAntiquity
Volume96
Issue number388
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2022
Externally publishedYes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 106018 Human biology

Keywords

  • Europe
  • north-west Africa
  • chickens
  • AMS dating
  • dispersal
  • domestication
  • GALLUS-GALLUS
  • DOMESTICATION
  • MEDIEVAL
  • REMAINS
  • HISTORY
  • DNA

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