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Document Details :

Title: Burned Offerings and Sacrificial Meals in Geometric and Archaic Karystos
Subtitle: Faunal Remains from Plakari (2011-201)
Author(s): GROOT, Maaike
Journal: Pharos
Volume: 20    Issue: 2   Date: 2014   
Pages: 25-52
DOI: 10.2143/PHA.20.2.3117841

Abstract :
This article describes the results of the analysis of faunal remains collected during the 2011 and 2012 field seasons in the hilltop sanctuary of Plakari at Karystos in southern Euboea, and discusses what they tell us about ancient ritual. By focusing on the skeletal elements and burned or unburned state of the bones, evidence was found for burned sacrifice. The skeletal elements found burned are consistent with the ‘god’s portion’ known from ancient literary and iconographic sources. The material has also provided insights into the preparation of sacrificial meals. The animal bones show a predominance of adult sheep and goats, which is probably related to the local availability of animals. The presence of mostly females, including perhaps some pregnant animals, provides tentative evidence for the worship of a female goddess.

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