A report on the animal remains from the 2009 archaeological excavations at Vasino in East Timor

Abstract

This report provides details of the zooarchaeological and taphonomic assessment of the animal remains recovered from the fortified settlement of Vasino, East Timor during the 2009 season of archaeological fieldwork. The study was conducted to: 1. Evaluate the vertebrate remains recovered from the 2009 excavation of Vasino. 2. Gain insights into some key biostratinomic and post-depositional processes that have led to the accumulation and nature of preservation of the vertebrate remains on the site; and 3. Determine the potential contribution the vertebrate remains from Vasino might have for understanding the subsistence strategies, particularly animal husbandry, in historic sites in Island Southeast Asia and Wallacea.