Sex Ratios of Byzantine Street Dogs in Constantinople: A Zooarchaeological Assessment
Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, cilt.32, sa.3, ss.389-393, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 32 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.9775/kvfd.2026.36376
- Dergi Adı: Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.389-393
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Basioccipital index, Dog, Morphometry, Sex determination, Zooarchaeology
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Geometric morphometric and fluctuating asymmetry investigations provide robust methodologies for elucidating the living conditions, environmental stressors, and ecological contexts of ancient species using archaeological animal remains. Prior research on Byzantine-era canine skulls discovered at the Theodosius Harbor excavations in Yenikapı, Istanbul, has indicated significant asymmetry in these specimens. This indicates that these dogs were not domesticated companions but rather feral canines (pariahs) contending with severe environmental challenges. This study aims to clarify the demographic composition, namely the sex distribution and sexual dominance, of a largely 'mesocephalic' dog community residing in the urban setting of Byzantine Constantinople. A total of 378 canine skulls from the excavation site were analysed. Sex determination was based on 'basioccipital index' values derived from the length and width measurements of the basioccipital area. The acquired data were subjected to statistical analysis utilizing ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences between sexes in the examined population. Among those with determinable sex, the proportion of females (55.6%) surpassed that of males, signifying female predominance. This discovery verifies that dogs in the Byzantine capital encompassed not only working canines under human supervision but also a free-roaming, interbreeding stray population possessing its own social dynamics. The numerical predominance of females indicates their pivotal role in reproductive strategies, facilitating lineage continuity and population sustainability within the demanding urban ecology.