Identification of animal species housed and herding practices in ancient sediments from the Vallone Inferno rock-shelter (Scillato, Sicily, Italy) using faecal biomarkers, hormones, and their metabolites

Abstract

The interest in the identification of animal species housed in caves or rock-shelters used as livestock pen and herding management along prehistoric and historic ages, is increasing to understand better the development of pastoral activities. In this manuscript, a method for the quantification of β-sterol/phytosterols, bile acids, hormones and hormones metabolites has been developed to determine the main pastoral activities carried out in Vallone Inferno rock-shelter (Scillato, Sicily, Italy) from Middle Neolithic to Early Middle Age. According to the result obtained, the main animals housed in the rock-shelter went gradually changing from ovicaprids in Middle Neolithic to pigs in Early Middle Age. Additionally, new proxies (progesterone/Ʃbile acids and metabolites of progesterone/Ʃbile acids) were used to detect a high hormonal activity at Early Middle Age samples related with female pig management.