Research

The Bavarian State Collection for Palaeoanatomy is an institution of the Bavarian Natural History Collections (SNSB). The research questions are oriented both archaeologically/cultural-historically and biologically/animal-medically, they focus on the domestication and cultural history of domestic animals, the transition from an appropriating way of life to agriculture and livestock breeding, the Romanization of Raetia as well as the migration of humans and animals across the Alps.

The range of methods includes morphological and osteometric examinations as well as analyses of light stable isotopes and ancient DNA. In addition, the department is significantly involved in the standardized recording of archaeozoological primary data in the OssoBook database. For the identification of animal remains, the SPM has an extensive comparative collection of recent vertebrate skeletons, which is currently being digitalized.

Research Insights

Romans brought mules with them

Research in the spotlight

Erst die Römer brachten auch Maultiere im ersten Jahrhundert über die Alpen nach Norden, davor wurden in Mitteleuropa ausschließlich Pferde als Reittiere genutzt.

learn more

Major new international research reveals new evidence about when, where, and how chickens were domesticated

Research in the spotlight

Neue Forschungsergebnisse verändern unser Verständnis der Umstände und des Zeitpunkts der Domestikation von Hühnern, ihrer Ausbreitung über Asien in den Westen und zeigen, wie sich ihre Rolle in den Gesellschaften während der letzten 3.500 Jahre verändert hat.

learn more

The Great Ditch and the Many Shafts. Archaeozoology of Medieval Munich

Research in the spotlight

The excavations on the “Marienhof” in Munich behind the city hall represent the largest archaeological procedure in the old town of Munich to date.

learn more