Sarah Viner

email: s.viner@sheffield.ac.uk
tel: 0114 22 22950

Research Associate - Feeding Stonehenge

I'm currently working as part of the AHRC funded Feeding Stonehenge project. Along with Umberto Albarella I am conducting zooarchaeological analysis of the faunal remains from Durrington Walls and sites in its surrounding area. One of the main aims of the project is to expand the understanding of cattle husbandry in prehistoric Britain. To that end, a continuing programme of strontium isotope analysis is under way in collaboration with Jane Evans of the NERC Isotope Geosciences Lab, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire. Strontium isotope analysis has already shown that a number of the cattle found at Durrington Walls were of non-local origin. The new phase of work will test more teeth from Durrington Walls, as well as applying the analysis to other sites in the local area. Oxygen isotope analysis is to be employed to identify patterns of seasonality within the cattle population at the site.

PhD research

A diachronic study of Sus and Bos exploitation in Britain from the Early Mesolithic to the Late Neolithic

My PhD research, completed in 2010, focused on the exploitation in Britain of two important animals in their wild and domestic forms: Sus and Bos. One of the central themes was the transition to animal husbandry in Britain. The long chronological time period that formed the focus of the study (from the earliest available Mesolithic sites to the Late Neolithic) allowed the situation immediately before animal husbandry became prevalent to be understood, as well providing information about the long term changes associated with the introduction of animal husbandry into Britain.

During this research I used traditional Zooarchaeological techniques along side strontium isotope analysis to investigate the changing exploitation of Sus and Bos. By analysing kill-off patterns and sex distributions human motivations for keeping animals were understood, and biometrical analysis of postcranial bones and dental elements was used to investigate changes in the size and shape of animals, thus providing evidence of the fluctuating human influence on the animals themselves.

The evidence collected during this research made it clear that an external origin must be sought for domesticated pigs and cattle in Britain, and that no evidence of local domestication was found. Detailed analysis of inter-site variability found that cattle were largely homogenous throughout southern Britain, but pigs varied between sites, suggesting that differing husbandry practices were employed in keeping this animal.

The Isotopes and Pleistocene Migration Project

Initiated in 2010 the Isotopes and Pleistocene Migration Project aims to investigate the movement of animals, and by proxy hominids, in the Pleistocene of Europe. I am currently conducting a pilot study in collaboration with Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes and Dr Geoff Smith that focuses on strontium isotope analysis of mammoth and horse teeth from La Cotte de St Brelade, Jersey. The work is part of the Quaternary Archaeology and Environments of Jersey Project and analysis will be carried out at the NERC isotope geosciences laboratory, Keyworth.

Welland Bank Quarry

Welland Bank Quarry, Lincolnshire, is the site of a Bronze Age settlement and associated field systems. Faunal assemblages of this date are relatively rare and the diversity of animals represented, coupled with the excellent preservation conditions across much of the site, makes it an extraordinary example.

The faunal material is under study at the Zooarchaeology Lab of the University of Sheffield, UK (Umberto Albarella and Sarah Viner) in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Genoa, Italy (Daniela Marrazzo and Alessandra Spinetti).

Publications

Viner, S. 2011. The Animal Bone. In K. Baker, S.Baker and J.Symonds (eds.) Archaeological Investigations at the Upper Chapel, Norfolk Street, Sheffield, UK. Internet Archaeology.

Viner, S. 2011. Cattle and pig husbandry in the British Neolithic. In E. Robinson, A. Hadjikoumis and S. Viner (eds.) The dynamics of Neolithisation in Europe: Studies in honour of Andrew Sherratt. Oxford, Oxbow books.

Hadjikoumis, A. Robinson, E. and Viner, S. (eds.) 2011. The dynamics of Neolithisation in Europe: Studies in honour of Andrew Sherratt. Oxford, Oxbow books.

Viner, S. Evans, J. Albarella, U. and Parker Pearson, M. 2010. Cattle mobility in prehistoric Britain: strontium isotope analysis of cattle teeth from Durrington Walls (Wiltshire, Britain) Journal of Archaeological Science 37, 2812-20.

Unpublished reports

Viner, S. 2011. Animal bones from South Ronaldsay, 2010. Prepared for M.Lillie, University of Hull.

Viner, S. 2011. Animal bones from excavations at Lancaster Vicarage Priory, 2008. Prepared for Neil Archaeological Services.

Viner, S. 2010. Faunal remains from the Temple of Venus. In M. Carroll (ed.) Nemus et Templum. Investigations in the sacred grove of Venus in Pompeii. University of Sheffield.

Viner, S. Animal bones from excavations at Star Carr, 2010. Prepared for N. Milner, University of York.

Viner, S. 2008. Faunal remains from archaeological sites in Arkhangai Province, Mongolia. Report prepared for J-L. Houle, University of Pittsburgh.

Viner, S. 2008. Faunal remains from Star Carr, 2008. Prepared for N. Milner, University of York.

Viner, S. 2007. Faunal Remains from Bawtry Hall, South Yorkshire. Prepared for C.Cox, University of Sheffield.

Viner, S. 2005. Faunal Remains from Saxon West Halton. Prepared for D. Hadley and H. Wilmott, University of Sheffield.

Presentations

Viner, S. Evans, J. Albarella, U. and Parker-Pearson, M. 2010. Investigating cattle movement in prehistory: strontium isotope analysis of teeth from Late Neolithic Durrington Walls, Wiltshire, UK. Presented at ICAZ, Paris.

Viner, S. Evans, J. Albarella, U. and Parker-Pearson, M. 2009. Cattle on the hoof: Strontium isotope analysis of cattle teeth from Late Neolithic Durrington Walls. Presented at the Postgraduate Zooarchaeology Forum, Cardiff University.

Viner, S. 2008. Investigating Cattle and Pig Husbandry at the Mesolithic-Neolithic Transition. Presented at the second annual YAPG meeting, University of Sheffield.

Viner, S. 2007. The early husbandry of cattle and pigs in Britain. Presented at the first annual YAPG, University of Bradford.

Viner, S. 2007. The Role of Cattle and Pig Domestication in the Neolithisation of Britain. Presented at Trajectories of Neolithisation Research Forum Dedicated to Andrew Sherratt, University of Sheffield.