Brazilian Historical Zooarchaeology: A Summarized Iberian Contribution and a Case Study of Domesticated Bovine Cattle Introduced in Southern Region

Resumo

Historical Zooarchaeology in Brazil still needs more comprehensive studies on the importance of animals for social, cultural, and economic development in some regions in the country since there is little information about the fauna from archaeological sites during the more than five hundred years from colonial to republican periods (from the 16^th to the 19th centuries, and in recent times). Archaeofaunal remains from land sites across the country indicate a certain taxonomic and chronological dichotomy. Although most of the prehistorical sites (also known as pre-Columbian/precolonial) have indicated largely native faunal osteological and dentary elements (mostly medium and small mammals, and also reptiles, amphibians) whereas the sites of colonial and subsequent chronological periods (also known as historical sites) predominates domesticated breeds, especially those of economic importance (for butchering, dairy leather cattle) and pets, resulting from Portuguese first “official” colonizers. Through some historical archaeological sites, we present some aspects of the Iberian contribution in the adoption of domesticated animals in the country. We also mention as an example the successful introduction of the domesticated cattle breed known as "Crioulo Lageano" in the state of Santa Catarina (SC), southern Brazil. The starting point would have been from the settlement of the city of Lages, founded in 1766 by the pioneer settlers. Historical records show the Iberian origin of this bovid race according to recent investigations into its genetic heritage.