Review of the oldest evidence of domestic fowl Gallus gallus f. domestica from the Czech Republic in its European context

Abstract

An analysis of pre-La Tene period osteological finds of domestic fowl within the Czech Republic is reported. The oldest evidence, a part of a female skeleton, comes from the site at Ostrov-Zapy (Prague - east district) dated to the end of the Bronze Age (end of Stitary culture, Hallstatt B3, which corresponds to the second half of the 9 century BC). Other skeleton remains come from the Rubin site (Louny distr.) dated to the Hallstatt D period. These and other pre-La Tene period archaeological finds are analysed in the Bohe- mian and European context. The origin of domestic fowl in Central Europe, as well as rit- ual aspects and size are discussed together with detailed morphometric characterization.