The Faunal Assemblage from Ḥorbat Sahar

The faunal assemblage from Ḥorbat Sahar was associated with the three periods of activity identified at the site. Two bones were attributed to the Iron Age and include a chicken femur—a rare find in this period, possibly attesting to the use of chicken in cockfighting rather than for consumption. The small late Byzantine–Early Islamic assemblage comprised domesticated livestock animals, dominated by adult cattle, supporting an economic system based mostly on livestock animals and not on hunting. The largest assemblage dates to the Crusader–Mamluk period, mainly including livestock and animals used for transportation and burden, possibly brought to the site by itinerant Christian pilgrims.