Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (653 page)

A ruminant mammal (Ovis) with a thick woolly coat usually living in groups as flocks and known for their timidity. Wild sheep are now almost extinct, surviving only as wild populations in remote mountain regions of the Near East and Asia, and distinguished by horn-shape, build, and pelage. Amongst domestic sheep, six main groups are recognized:
Mouflon
(Ovis musimon) originally from Sardinia and Corsica where they are regarded as feral domestic sheep, recently introduced into the mountains of mainland Europe;
Urials
(Ovis orientalis) found in the mountains of Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, southern Russia, Pakistan, and northern India;
Argalis
(Ovis ammon) very large sheep found in the Himalayas, Mongolia, and western Siberia;
Snow sheep
large-sized sheep found in Siberia;
Dall sheep
found in Alaska and the northern Rocky Mountains; and
Bighorns
found in the mountains of western parts of North America.
The domestication of sheep appears to have taken place in the Near East before 7000 bc. At
ALI KOSH
in the southern Zagros Mountains of Iran, an assemblage dating to about 7000 bc that includes hornless sheep is taken as clear evidence of flock manipulation. Sheep seem to appear in Europe already domesticated around 6000 bc in the Aegean and not long afterwards in the western Mediterranean. When alive, sheep can be separated from goats (Capra) by differences in scent glands, the lack of a ‘beard’ on sheep, distinctive horn types in the two species, and genetically in terms of the number of chromosomes present. Archaeologically, however, sheep and goats are difficult to tell apart from skeletal remains alone, the key differences being in the horn cores, metapodials, and phalanges. For this reason, many archaeological reports refer to identifications as being sheep/goat or ovicaprid.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Open expanse of ground used as sheep pasture.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Stone relief panel of early medieval date, often incorporated into the fabric of churches and public buildings in the British Isles. All depict a grotesque female figure with exaggerated genitalia. Believed to be Irish in origin and intended as a symbolically protective device to ward off evil and ensure fertility.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

A small house or hut, often within an enclosure, found in upland regions and which served as temporary summer accommodation for herders and their families involved in
TRANSHUMANCE
. In Wales, sheilings are known as hafods.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Pottery made from a fabric tempered with crushed marine shell or fossil shell.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Round or sub-circular stone structure constructed on top of an earthen mound or motte at the focus of a more extensive defensive system that provides a fortified residence and military stronghold. Built in northern Europe from the mid 13th century
ad
onwards, many replaced earlier motte and bailey castles. The shell keep is typically 15m to 25m in diameter with thick walls and perhaps a single tower. Adjoining the keep will be one or more baileys providing an outer defensive circuit and accommodation for troops and servants. One of the best examples in England is Windsor Castle, Berkshire.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search