Dealing with domestic animals in the fifth millennium cal BC Dutch wetlands: new insights from old Swifterbant assemblages

Abstract

One classic case study area regarding the transition to farming is the Swifterbant Culture of the Low Countries bordering the North Sea in Northwest Europe, with sites located in the wetlands between Antwerp and Hamburg. The Netherlands’ coastal plain constitutes a major part of this zone. Based on multi-proxy zooarchaeological data and direct 14C dates, we think it is reasonable to suggest that animal husbandry began in the Dutch Delta at the end of the fifth millennium BC. Although foraging remained an important activity at least until 3700 cal BC (as evident at Schipluiden), it is clear that the changing relationships between humans and animals at the end of the fifth millennium are in one way or another related to encounters with domesticates. This period needs to be explored in detail with new methods and multi-disciplinary perspectives on using larger assemblages.