BONE MATERIAL FROM THE ASH-HILL OF THE SETTLEMENT "LILAC BAY" IN THE EASTERN CRIMEA
In this paper, we provide an analysis of bone remains from the ash-hill of the settlement «Lilac Bay» located in the Azov Sea Costal Region (Crimea, Kerch Peninsula), about 25 km north-west of the Kerch city. Bone material dates back to the period from the second century AD to the first half of the fourth century AD. The main part of the osteological collection consists, as usual, of the remains of cows, sheep and goats. The share of sheep and goat remains is considerably higher, which is not typical of the settlements of the Roman period and the early Middle Ages in the region. In addition, the relatively large number of bird and fish remains was discovered there. It is assumed that the inhabitants of the settlement were rather poor and they obtained their sustenance mostly by fishing and hunting.