THE EARLIEST RECORD OF HOUSE SPARROWS (PASSER-DOMESTICUS) IN NORTHERNEUROPE

Citation
Pgp. Ericson et al., THE EARLIEST RECORD OF HOUSE SPARROWS (PASSER-DOMESTICUS) IN NORTHERNEUROPE, Journal of archaeological science, 24(2), 1997, pp. 183-190
Citations number
68
Categorie Soggetti
Archaeology,Archaeology
ISSN journal
03054403
Volume
24
Issue
2
Year of publication
1997
Pages
183 - 190
Database
ISI
SICI code
0305-4403(1997)24:2<183:TEROHS>2.0.ZU;2-N
Abstract
Remains of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) recovered from a late Bronze Age (1200-800 sc) settlement in central Sweden are described. The house sparrow is conspicuously rare in prehistoric Europe, and thi s record constitutes the earliest from the northern part. The find pre dates the introduction of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) to Sweden, a s pecies with which the house sparrow has been assumed to be spread simu ltaneously. Instead, it is here suggested that house sparrows most lik ely spread over Europe along with the horse Equus caballus. (C) 1997 A cademic Press Limited