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The Dogs of Cladh Hallan: an Exploration of Beliefs

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The Dogs of Cladh Hallan: an Exploration of Beliefs The Dogs of Cladh Hallan: An Exploration of Beliefs A Zooarchaeological Report of Cladh Hallan, South Uist, Scotland Word count: 4997 Title Figure: Illustration of SP 3380. (Illustration by Author) 1 Abstract This report examines the role of Canis Familiaris in the Iron Age in Britain and the ritual significance that may have surrounded them, by focusing on the canids within a single case study at the Iron Age site of Cladh Hallan, Outer Hebrides. Canid remains at Cladh Hallan include two complete dog burials, as well as a number of other articulated and disarticulated remains. These are analysed and considered in the context of this site and other comparative assemblages. 1 Introduction the Iron Age, and is best known for its This paper will be exploring the canid well preserved wheelhouses that date from remains of the site Cladh Hallan, a late c.1100-200 BC, see figure 2, and thought Bronze to Iron Age settlement in South to have been occupied until 500 BC Uist, Scotland (see fig. 1). Excavated by (Mulville et al. 2009, 52; Parker Pearson et Mike Parker Pearson in 1994-2002. The al. 2005, 2007). site was occupied from the Early Bronze to Figure 1: Map of the location of the site of Cladh Hallan, South Figure 2: Plan of the three wheelhouses at Cladh Hallan. Uist, Outer Hebrides, signified by a triangle. (Parker Pearson et al 2005, 532) (Parker Pearson et al 2005, 530) 2 buried in particular orientations or in 2 Dogs of the British Iron Age association with humans (Maltby 1988). Remains of the domesticated dog (Canis The ideas of deliberate killing of dogs for Familiaris) are particularly rare in the symbolic reasons was first discussed by archaeological record in the Iron Age (see Grant (1984a), based on the discovery of appendix A), however, the Iron Age (700 articulated dog remains in grain storages at BC – 50 AD) sees an increase in the Danebury Hillfort. This prompted numbers of dog elements being reported discussion about the significance of dog (Morris 2008, 23; Hunter and Ralston burials at Iron Age settlements and the 1999; Wait 1985; Hill 1995). The emergence of the term ‘special animal relationships between humans and dogs in deposits’. Grant suggested that the dogs this period have shown themselves to have found in the storages were being treated in been complex, as will be discussed. Unlike a significant way and could equate to other domesticated species, it has been sacrificial offerings (Grant 1984a, 221- demonstrated that dogs were not usually 227). This theory was later supported by kept as a food species – due to the lack of the work of Wait (1985), with the butchery marks (Smith 2005, 2). Whilst surveying of a further 28 Iron Age this could be used as evidence of a special settlements and storage pits, in which more relationship, it could also have been due to articulated dog remains were found. dogs proving uneconomical for food Therefore, it is clear to see that dogs were purposes (Smith 2005, 2). However, it is being treated differently, and in a easier to argue in favour of a special substantial way. Although the burials of relationship with this species when this Cladh Hallan differ as they were found by low representation is paired with a high the hearth of House 401, not grain storage incidence of unusual burials, such as those pits, the significance they hold still meet within the grain storages at Danebury the criteria of a ‘special animal deposit’ Hillfort (Grant 1984b, 221-227) and those (Morris 2011, 5). Arguably, this makes for within House 401 of Cladh Hallan. a more special deposit due to the proximity to the humans. By considering the significance of dogs in the Iron Age, this These burials are often complete or nearly report will aim to analyse and compare the complete, articulated remains, and are burials to other sites. given special treatment, such as being 3 3 Methodology laboratory. The examination consisted of The canid remains had previously been laying the burials out on the laboratory recorded at university name redacted for table as accurately as possible (see fig. 3). anonymity in the university name redacted This was done to both extend analysis and for anonymity Osteoarchaeology Research allow a closer understanding of the bones Group laboratory by redacted for anonymity, using the reference collection, and entered into Microsoft Excel. Fragments were recorded by element and zone, with notes made for specific taphonomy, such as osteoarthritis. This data set, as well as the physical remains and on-site photographs were combined to complete a full analysis and re- themselves. examination of the material in context. Figure 3: The front of dog 3380 reconstructed in the laboratory. (Photograph by Author) The data sets of the elements – of which were sorted into phases 6 through 16 - were analysed. The phases consisted of a To allow for the easier reconstruction, the series of contexts believed to fall within remains were sorted by section and bagged the same time span. The data sets were separately. Physical examination allowed used to understand the contexts of the site for the discovery of particularly interesting and the burials. Also to highlight wear, such as the canine wear discussed in pathologies, what elements were present or section 5.3. The dogs were aged using not present and in what contexts each Gipson et al (2000) (see fig. 4 and 5). burial belonged. This involved the creation The heights were calculated using of pivot tables and graphs, and colour Harcourt (1974), the long bones being coding by small find number to allow for measured in millimetres using callipers. quicker analysis. The measurements of the femora, humeri, ulnae and radii were used in the calculations. These measurements were After this initial data analysis, the bones then averaged and cross checked using were examined physically in the Clark (1995). Results of this are discussed 4 in section 5.2. A further four reference (1974), this was done to provide a standard collection dogs were measured and their by which to compare the Cladh Hallan wither height calculated using Harcourt dogs. Figure 4: Guide for the ageing of Grey Wolves using wear, used Figure 5: Guide for the ageing of Grey Wolves using wear, used on the Cladh Hallan dogs, canines and incisors. on the Cladh Hallan dogs, M1 and PM4. (Gipson et al 2000, 754) (Gipson et al 2000, 754) 4 Results The Minimum Number of Individuals At the site, there were dogs found (MNI) has been calculated at 7 dogs (see throughout phases 6 to 16, with 405 Graph 2). Certainly, and as seen in graph elements recovered. Other species found at 1, the most elements were recovered in the site included sheep, red dear and pig. phase 12. Graph 1: Graph of the number of elements found within each phase. 5 4.1 Phases 6-9 low percentage could also be explained by These phases were one of the least active an exceptionally high rate of activity in periods. In total, making up 2.9% of the other phases. In phase 8, the dog elements total canid assemblage (see Table 1). This begin to appear within and around House could be due either to lack of activity with 401, however are mostly disarticulated. dogs or simply a poor survival rate. This Phase Element 6 8 9 Total Humerus 1 1 2 Maxilla 1 2 3 Metatarsal 1 1 Metacarpal 1 1 Pelvis 1 1 Radius 1 1 Scapula 1 1 Tibia 1 1 Upper Molar 1 1 Upper premolar 2 2 Grand Total 14 Table 1: Table of the canid elements and totals of phases 6-9 of Cladh Hallan. 4.2 Phase 10-11 occasionally as food sources at other sites, These phases, while still small, made up a with similar cut marks being found – such larger percentage of the overall as at Levroux, France (Horard-Herbin assemblage – 18.3%. Phase 10 features 2014, 28; Hambleton 1999). Phase 11 had dog 3626, a left forelimb, in which using dog 3490 within its assemblage, a left Harcourt (1974), a height was calculated forepaw. This, like the left forelimb, was (see Table 2). There were also interesting used to calculate a height for the individual marks on a humerus in phase 10, featuring (see Table 2). Pathology was also present diagonal scratches. This could act as in phase 11, a PH1 had evidence of possible evidence of butchery, more osteophytes on the distal end. Therefore, specifically the skinning of the dog prior to this can provide evidence of lame and/or burial (Harcourt 1974, 171). There have old dogs. been suggestions of dogs being used 6 Height (cm) Dog No. Harcourt (1974) Clark (1995) Difference (cm) 3490 - 54 - 3626 55 - - 3376 51 46 5 3380 60 62 2 Ref. 1 58 - - Ref. 2 52 - - Ref. 3 42 - - Ref. 4 46 - - Table 2: Table of the heights calculated from Harcourt (1974) and Clark (1995), including both Cladh Hallan specimens and reference collection specimens. 4.3 Phase 12 as evidence for the survival of lame and/or This was by far the most active phase, dogs. Evidence of remodelling was found providing the most diagnostic evidence. In on a rib from dog 3380, which can be used this phase, 72.3% of the total elements as evidence for the care of dogs after were uncovered. A large proportion of the injury. The phase featured the two most elements in this phase were articulated. As prominent dog burials of the site – dog far as pathological evidence, an astragalus 3380 and 3376. Both dog burials were was identified to have an osteochondroma found within House 401 (see fig.
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