Abstract

Th e present article discusses dog remains from the Neolithic archaeological record in Poland complete with a reconstruction of the role of these animals, in life as well as in death. Dog bones have been noted among the food remains at settlements (41 sites) and in grave deposits, both at habitation sites and at cemeteries (25 sites). Remains of dogs have been recorded among the food remains at sites of diverse archaeological cultures, with the exception of Stroke Ornamented Pottery, Zfota and Corded Ware cultures. During the early Neolithic dog bones form a very small percentage of domesticated animal remains, up to 4.0%. During the middle and late Neolithic, settlements of Funnel Beaker and Rzucewo cultures show a more diverse participation of dog remains, ranging from sites with low participation, through moderate (4.1%-8.0%), high (8.1%-12.0%) and very high (over 12.1%) percentage of dog bone.<br>NEOLITHIC DOG REMAINS IN POLAND. The present article discusses dog remains from the Neolithic archaeological record in Poland complete with a reconstruction of the role of these animals, in life as well as in death. Dog bones have been noted among the food remains at settlements (41 sites) and in grave deposits, both at habitation sites and at cemeteries (25 sites). Remains of dogs have been recorded among the food remains at sites of diverse archaeological cultures, with the exception of Stroke Ornamented Pottery, Zfota and Corded Ware cultures. During the early Neolithic dog bones form a very small percentage of domesticated animal remains, up to 4.0%. During the middle and late Neolithic, settlements of Funnel Beaker and Rzucewo cultures show a more diverse participation of dog remains, ranging from sites with low participation, through moderate (4.1%-8.0%), high (8.1%-12.0%) and very high (over 12.1%) percentage of dog bone. Burials of dogs are not recorded in Stroke Ornamented Linear Pottery, late Linear Pottery (phases I-Ia), Lengyel, Lublin-WofyA or Rzucewo cultures. They are very rare during the early Neolithic, represented only by two forms of burial: burials of individual animals or fragments. During the middle and late Neolithic we have a larger number of dog burials, more varied in form. The largest number of dog burials is known from Globular Amphorae Culture; they are less commonly noted in Funnel Beaker, Zfota and Corded Ware cultures. Next to individual and fragmentary burials we find mixed graves of humans and dogs, burials of dogs under buildings ("cornerstone offerings") and less commonly, remains of dogs in burials of cattle or a larger number animal species. Dogs during the Neolithic in Poland were used both in life and at death. In the first case they may have served as watchdogs or sheepdogs, and during transport as draft animals. Their meat was presumably consumed, as indicated by cut marks on bones and by the anatomic analysis of dog bone types registered at sites of Stroked Band Pottery, Funnel Beaker and Rzucewo cultures. Next to their meat, dog hair and teeth may also have been used, the latter in making pendants.