Découpe et mise en place des animaux dans la nécropole de Lamadelaine (Luxembourg, I^er siècle avant notre ère)

During the first century B.C., animal parts were placed in graves, directly or after cremation. About fifty graves with well preserved animal bones have been found in Lamadelaine (Luxembourg). They provide an opportunity to study rules of choice of species and animal parts, and methods of storage. The pig is the first of the animals, not only in the number of bones, but also in its central place in the pits. Distribution of bones and butchering marks show that, in some cases, animal parts have been disarticulated prior to being pieced together in the pits. The same practices have been noticedfor dogs and poultry offerings. Distribution of quarters in pits allows us to define an interior circle with pig, poultry and dog, and a peripheral zone with oxen and sheep. Horses, often found next to the pits, are represented by non edible parts.