Taş Tepeler Project

Researchers of the SPM participate in the Taş Tepeler Project in SE Anatolia. Several multinational teams excavate a series of T-pillar sites coordinated by Prof. Necmi Karul of Istanbul University.

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Palaeoanatomy in Munich

The SPM researches human-animal-environment relationships in prehistoric and early historic times. The questions are both archaeological and biological, focusing on the domestication and cultural history of domestic animals, the transition from an appropriative way of life to agriculture and animal husbandry, the Romanization of Raetia, and the migration of humans and animals across the Alps.

Research

The range of methods includes morphological and osteometric examinations as well as analyses of light stable isotopes and ancient DNA. In addition, the Bavarian State Collection for Palaeoanatomy is significantly involved in the standardized recording of archaeozoological primary data in the OssoBook database. For the determination of animal remains, the SPM has a comprehensive comparative collection of recent vertebrate skeletons, which is currently being digitized.

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Aşıklı Höyük

The Early Neolithic site of Aşıklı Höyük is the largest and best-studied settlement in Central Anatolia and was permanently inhabited from c. 8350 BC to c. 7300 BC. Aşıklı Höyük provides valuable insights into architecture, culture, human and animal nutrition, vegetation, and the development of agriculture and animal husbandry in the Neolithic period. While hunting was still important for the meat supply of the inhabitants at the beginning of the settlement, livestock farming gained importance later on, with sheep being the most important livestock species.

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Accessing the Collections
Documenta Archaeobiologiae
OssoBook

Bavarian State Collection for Palaeoanatomy

The Bavarian State Collection for Palaeoanatomy is an institution of the Bavarian Natural History Collections (SNSB). The scientists there research the human-animal-environment relationships in prehistoric and early historic times. Research questions are oriented towards the cultural history of animals, their biology and the history of veterinary science with a focus on the domestication and history of domestic animals, the transition from foraging to agriculture and animal husbandry, the Romanization of Raetia as well as the migration of humans and animals across the Alps.

ICAZ Working Group “Archaeozoology of Southwest Asia and Adjacent Areas”

The XVIth ASWA conference took place from May 25 – 28 2025 and was hosted by the Bavarian State Collection for Palaeoanatomy. Further information can be found here.

Research Insights

Taş Tepeler Project

Current projects , Research in the spotlight

SPM researchers are involved as cooperation partners in the Taş-Tepeler project (literally: Stone M [...]

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Euphrates-Tigris Project

Current projects , Research in the spotlight

The transition from hunter-gathering to farming and animal raising is one of the most significant ch [...]

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First insights into the genetic bottleneck characterizing early sheep husbandry in the Neolithic period

Obermesopotamien , Research in the spotlight

Staatssammlung für Paläoanatomie München:Mitogenetic diversity of sheep did not decline in the An [...]

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