Animal Bones Thrown in a Bronze Age Well in Mycenae

Bronze Age wells in Mycenae, Greece, reveal animal resources and social dynamics of settlements.

Animals were an important source of livelihood and symbolism in the Late Bronze Age settlement in Mycenae, Greece. This is also evidenced by the depictions of animals in art and architecture. But more research is needed on the animals that actually live there.

In this study, the researchers conducted a detailed analysis of a large deposit of animal remains inside a well at Petsas House in Mycenae. Petsas House also included a pottery workshop.

Excavations at the well revealed abundant animal remains, the most common being the remains of pigs, sheep, goats, cattle and dogs, as well as pottery, metal, stone and other materials.

The researchers found evidence that many of these animals were used as food.