Bronze Age Britons Hosted Feasts with Animals from Afar

Speedy summary

• A new study in iScience analyzes massive rubbish mounds (middens) in England dating back to the Late Bronze Age and Iron age transition (c. 900-500 BCE).
• peopel from across Britain traveled notable distances to attend large feasting festivals, bringing animals such as pigs, cattle, and sheep raised in various regions.
• Six middens analyzed show regional variation in animal remains: Potterne was primarily associated with pigs, Runnymede with cattle, and East Chisenbury with local sheep.
• Isotope analysis of animal bones reveals where animals where raised, confirming the extensive trade networks formed around these gatherings.
• Social feasts played a key role during times of economic and climatic instability by fostering relationships within and between communities.
• Study author Carmen Esposito highlights that middens represent distinct regional economies and social practices tied to identity expression through community-wide consumption.

Image:
!Landscape location of All Cannings Cross midden
Caption: Landscape location of All Cannings Cross midden (Image Credit: Cardiff University).

Read More Here

Indian Opinion Analysis

The findings from this study emphasize how human societies have historically relied on communal events to maintain social cohesion amidst uncertainties like climate change or economic fluctuations-a dynamic still visible today globally. For India, such insights resonate deeply considering its rich tradition of community-centric festivals that foster unity across diverse cultures despite challenges like poverty or natural calamities.

From an archaeological perspective, India’s vast cultural heritage coudl benefit from similar isotope analyses for assessing past trade routes involving livestock during ancient periods like the Indus Valley Civilization or the Mauryan Empire era-potentially illuminating socio-economic structures akin to those uncovered in Bronze Age Britain.In broader terms, these discoveries reiterate humanity’s enduring ability to adapt by leveraging cultural practices-something India shares through its own longstanding traditions centered on food-sharing communities during celebrations across states.