A pilot geo-ethnoarchaeological study of dung deposits from pastoral rock shelters in the Monti Sibillini (central Italy)

In recent years, ethnoarchaeological studies focusing on herbivore faecal remains within the soils, especially those from goat, sheep and cattle, have shown the importance of their study for identifying socio-economic activities. Thus, an accurate microstratigraphic examination of these deposits can provide us new insights into past land use, site formation processes, activity areas and intensity of use of space, mobility, domestic use of fuel, manuring, and foddering strategies. Mountain landscapes represent a relatively new terrain of investigation for geo-ethnoarchaeology. In this paper, we present a pilot project featuring an applied inter-disciplinary methodology that includes micromorphology, bulk stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N), phytolith, pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) analyses. These were carried out on samples from three high-mountain (up to 1400 m a.s.l.) pastoral sites located at Monti Sibillini, in the Italian central Apennines. Results show that the presence of anthropic organic-rich deposits, even when poorly preserved, (1) allows for an accurate description of herbivore dung internal characteristics, (2) establishes precise microstratigraphy of anthropogenic deposits and husbandry practices related to intensity of use of space, and (3) gives accurate information about former vegetation and landscape use in the local area. Based on this exploratory ethnoarchaeological approach, we discuss the potential of micro-analyses of archaeological decayed or burnt livestock dung in a small set of samples collected during a initial survey for obtaining insights into the environment and husbandry practices from dung and goat stabling floors in a high-mountain context.