Examining past husbandry practices for a sustainable future
Sheep and goats played an important role in Cyprus from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age in many aspects of life, including the economy and natural environment. In order to better understand this role, the EU-funded SGCNB (Sheep and goat management in Cyprus from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age: an archaeozoological, isotopic and ethnographic approach) project studied the relationship of sheep and goats and their impact on humans' way of life. Traditional sheep and goat herding was small to medium scale with short-range mobility. Furthermore, it was well-adapted to the local environment, climate and culture. Since very little was known about it, researchers needed to collect as much information as possible via contacts in Cyprus who practice traditional herding methods. Interviews were conducted and data was obtained regarding the daily and seasonal mobility of the flocks, foddering at the bad season, lambing seasons and practices, and illnesses and their treatment. All of the goals have been achieved, including the recording and collection of data, preparation and implementation of analysis, and finally interpreting and disseminating results. This has helped enhance previous knowledge as well as add new information regarding the origins and development of the complex interactions between humans and sheep/goat in Cyprus. In addition to helping ensure the preservation of traditional sheep/goat husbandry practices, there is an important ethnographic component that provides an archaeological interpretation. For instance, the logic for selecting sheep or goat herding as related to the environment, climate, and social and cultural traditions can be better understood.
Keywords
Husbandry, sheep and goat herding, Neolithic, food production, Bronze Age
