Magisterarbeit Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Philosophische Fakultät, Institut für Ur- und Frühgeschichte, Prof. Dr. J. Maran/Prof. Dr. A. Sheratt

Abstract

Using different methods (kill-off patterns obtained from animal-bone assemblages represented in the archaeological literature, evidence from ceramics, classical authors, genetics as well as economical and climatological considerations) the theory of the Secondary Products Revolution was being reviewed in this Master Thesis. The emphasis lay on the beginning of dairying and on adult lactose tolerance. It could be shown that although dairying was probably practiced as soon as animals were domesticated, milk was transformed
into storable products such as hard cheese. The use of fresh milk that lead to adult lactose tolerance probably began with the herding of milk cattle in Bandkeramik Central Europe. Furthermore, the assessment of the osteological evidence showed that cattle were used for purposes other than for meat (especially traction) since neolithic times whereas the importance of wool sheep increased in Bronze Age Central Europe. The fi nal discussion set the use of cattle within a worldwide comparative perspective and showed its dependence on climate and geography.