The subject of this thesis is animal bones found in the Pitted Ware Culture site of Ajvide in Eksta parish, Gotland, Sweden. The site has been excavated since the 1980s and along with 85 graves and 7500 artefacts about 2500 kg of animal bones has been collected. Previous studies have often focused on specific areas or species, but the aim of this work has been to get a wider perspective of different areas within the Ajvide site. A total of about 20 kg of animal bones from ten different areas in Ajvide have been analysed with osteological methods. The analysis has shown that there are some differences between the areas considering amount of bone material found and the present species. The material consists of almost exclusively unburnt fragments and fragmentation is high in all areas. In the deeper layers fish is the most common species while fragments of pig are the most common considering every layer and area analysed. The difference seen between the areas most likely depend on how the sites were used by the people in the Pitted Ware Culture and discussions are made on how some of the areas could have been used for more ritual purposes while others possibly have been used in the everyday life.

This paper will be based on osteological analysis of the animal bones associated with the riverine cultures of ancient Nubia, especially the animal bones from the Pangrave and C-group cemeteries. These bones were excavated by the Scandinavian Joint Expedition in the 1960’s and are now conserved as a part of the Nubian collection at Museum Gustavianum in Sweden. The Nubian collection contains a variety of species and show a vastly differing treatment of the various animals. There are deliberately modified skulls adorned with patterns of red ochre and black sot. But there are some animals which seem to have been dismembered to be cooked or burned at the burial sites, while other animals have been buried intact alongside humans. Using osteological methods and the original research notes from the Scandinavian Joint Expedition I will attempt to create clearer picture of what the Nubian collection consists of and why.

Um dos principais desafios na ictiologia Neotropical moderna refere-se à sistemática de Characidae, uma família com aproximadamente 950 espécies, dois terços da diversidade de Characiformes. Recentemente, tem sido sugerido que subunidades de Characidae sejam primeiramente estudadas e reconhecidas visando um melhor entendimento da sistemática da família como um todo. Characinae é uma destas subunidades que guarda especial importância por incluir Charax, gênero-tipo de Characidae e Characiformes. Doze gêneros e 79 espécies têm sido incluídos em Characinae, mas a subfamília ainda não havia sido foco de estudo filogenético. No presente trabalho, 35 espécies de todos os gêneros de Characinae e 29 representantes de outras linhagens de Characiformes foram incluídas em uma matriz com 151 caracteres provenientes do estudo comparado da morfologia externa, miologia e osteologia, submetida a duas análises cladísticas. Uma delas, sem incluir o gênero Priocharax, resultou em 50 árvores igualmente parcimoniosas (L=697, IC=0.29, IR=0.73). No cladograma de consenso estrito, Characinae como tradicionalmente reconhecido não é um grupo monofilético. Os gêneros usualmente atribuídos à subfamília resultaram em dois clados separados, cada qual mais proximamente relacionado a diferentes subunidades de Characiformes. Sete gêneros formam o primeiro clado (Phenacogaster ((Charax Roeboides) (Acanthocharax (Cynopotamus (Acestrocephalus Galeocharax))))), ao qual o nome Characinae é restrito. Ele é sustentado por onze sinapomorfias não ambíguas e é mais relacionado em uma politomia a outros gêneros de Characidae (i.e., Astyanax, Cheirodon, Gymnocorymbus, Hyphessobrycon, Odontostilbe e Tetragonopterus). O segundo clado inclui a tribo Heterocharacini (Lonchogenys (Heterocharax Hoplocharax)) como grupo-irmão de Gnathocharax. Seis sinapomorfias não ambíguas sustentam o monofiletismo deste clado que, por sua vez, é mais proximamente relacionado a um clado formado por Roestes e Gilbertolus, com base em oito sinapomorfias não ambíguas. O resultado da análise não corrobora a hipótese de relacionamento próximo entre Roestes e Gilbertolus e Cynodontinae. A inclusão do gênero Priocharax, que compreende duas espécies miniatura (100 árvores, L=697, IC=0.29, IR=0.73) sugere que ele é mais relacionado aos Heterocharacini com base na morfologia do pseudotímpano, aparelho de Weber e esqueleto caudal. No entanto, as profundas modificações de sua anatomia possivelmente relacionadas a eventos de truncamento ontogenético dificultam um melhor entendimento a cerca das relações deste gênero. Um estudo anatômico detalhado de Priocharax pretende fornecer evidências adicionais no que se refere às suas relações filogenéticas. Com base na hipótese de relações obtida através da análise, é proposta uma nova classificação de Characinae e Roestinae / One of the main challenges in modern Neotropical ichthyology refers to the systematics of the Characidae, a family with approximately 950 species, two-thirds of the diversity in Characiformes. It has been suggested that subunits of the Characidae should first be studied and recognized for a better understanding of the family as a whole. Characinae is one such subunit with special importance for including Charax, type-genus of the Characidae and Characiformes. Twelve genera and 79 species have been included in the Characinae, but the subfamily still lacked a phylogenetic diagnosis. In the present study, 35 species of all genera of the Characinae and 29 representing other lineages within Characiformes were included in a matrix with 151 characters from external morphology, myology and osteology, submitted to two cladistic analyses. One of them (excluding Priocharax from the dataset) resulted in 50 equally most parsimonious trees (L=697, IC=0.29, IR=0.73). In the strict consensus cladogram, Characinae as traditionally recognized is not a monophyletic group. Genera usually assigned to the subfamily resulted in two separate clades, each more related to different lineages in Characiformes. Seven genera form the first clade (Phenacogaster ((Charax Roeboides) (Acanthocharax (Cynopotamus (Acestrocephalus Galeocharax))))) to which the name Characinae is restricted. It is supported by eleven non-ambiguous synapomorphies and is more related in a politomy to other genera of the Characidae (i.e., Astyanax, Cheirodon, Gymnocorymbus, Hyphessobrycon, Odontostilbe and Tetragonopterus). The second clade includes the tribe Heterocharacini (Lonchogenys (Heterocharax Hoplocharax)) as the sister-group of Gnathocharax. Six non-ambiguous synapomorphies support this clade, which is more related to a clade formed by Roestes and Gilbertolus based on eight non-ambiguous synapomorphies. Results presented in this study do not corroborate a close relationship between Roestes and Gilbertolus and the Cynodontinae. Inclusion of the genus Priocharax, with two miniature species (100 trees, L=697, CI=0.29, RI=0.73) suggests that it is more related to the Heterocharacini based on the morphology of the pseudotympanum, Weberian apparatus and caudal skeleton. The profound modifications in its anatomy possibly related to ontogenetic truncations, however, obscure a better understanding on the relations of this genus. A detailed anatomical study of Priocharax is being designed intended to provide additional evidence regarding its phylogenetic relationships. A new classification of the Characinae and the Roestinae is proposed based on the phylogenetic hypothesis obtained herein

An osteological study on human skeletal remains from Maassara in Egypt. The goal of the study was to get a good picture of the health of the individuals buried in the graves at Maassara. The study was combined of nine individuals. Two from the Early Dynastic period and six individuals from the Old Kingdom. All the adult individuals have some form of pathological change. Most pathological changes are in the spine. Most pathological changes were age-related. Some of the individuals were very poorly kept and the bones were very fragile.

This essay has analyzed and compared measurements of at least 41 dogs from seven different locations on Gotland ranging periods from Stone Age to Iron Age. This essay’s focus was on studying what kind of different types of dogs there are in the different time periods on Gotland, but also what their usage may have been. Type is not to be confused with breed as it is a modern concept and would give a faulty image, type indicate usage such as primed for i.e. hunting. The thesis also explores if the result differs from the mainland or preference of dogs compared to the island. Earlier studies have stated that during the Stone- and Bronze Age there are spitz type dogs, which usually varies between 30-60 cm. While during the Iron age more variety of different type of dogs were found such a greyhound type. Even larger dogs appear in the material with a height of 60-70 cm.   The Gotlandic dogs that were examined came from the locations Simunde, Lilla Vikers, Stora Källstäde, Hemmor, Gullrum, Ire, Vallhagar and Broa in Halla. Their sizes differed between 25-73 cm in height. The types of dogs that have been read out in the material are spitz, terrier, molosser types. The spitz and the terrier types indicate a usage as a farm dog raging to hunting, herding, guarding and as a companion. The molosser type and the other long-legged dogs in Broa in Halla show more specified hunting, high status and even hunting with horse. Nothing shows a different preference of type or size between the mainland and Gotland with the exception that the Gotlandic Stone age dogs were a little on the larger side than normal. The dogs were important in Gotland society and lived a good life with man as well as having the same diet which was proven by carbon-13 value analyzes from Ajvide. The dogs showed very few injuries and those that did showed instead that they had been taken care of in form of food and shelter so that those injuries fully have healed properly. Which shows that man has taken care of the dogs and wanted them well in health, that the dog is indeed important to humans and is our best friend.

We report on a small collection of parachuting frogs from Sumatra and Java. Three new species are described. Rhacophorus achantharrhena is similar to R. dulitensis and R. prominanus and differs from these species by a suite of characters including morphology of the supratympanic fold, digital webbing, coloration, and morphometrics. These three species are unusual in having white visceral and parietal peritonea. Rhacophorus catamitus is a small species similar to R. angulirostris and differing from this species by having a calcar at the heel and reduced digital webbing. Rhacophorus barisani resembles R. baluensis but differs from this species in color pattern, habitus, webbing of the fingers, and morphology of the dermal appendages. A new specimen of Sumatran R. pardalis is described and compared to the holotype of R. pulchellus. Rhacophorus prominanus is reported from Gunung Rajabasa, Lampung. Two specimens are described and compared to Bornean R. dulitensis and R. prominanus from the Malay Peninsula. Rhacophorus tunkui Kiew is a junior subjective synonym of Rhacophorus prominanus Smith. Finally, we describe new specimens of Rhacophorus margaritifer from Cibodas, Java, Skeletons of the new species and of R. margaritifer are described in detail. Superficial jaw and throat musculature appears to be relatively conservative within the genus.

No description available.

Syftet med denna uppsats är att diskutera hästens kön i en gravkontext och som våtmarksoffer. Detta är en komparativ studie baserad på textuellt källmaterial. De teoretiska begreppen som kommer att användas är genusteori, kunskapsteori, agens och personlighetsteori, för att på så sätt närma sig frågan om valacken, hästens tredje kön.   Hästen har haft en betydande roll för människan och detta går att utläsa i de olika kontexterd är skelettmaterial av häst påträffats. Fyra kontexter under järnåldern behandlas i denna uppsats, båtgravar i Uppland, kammargravar på Björkö, ryttargravar på Gotland och våtmarksoffer på Öland och Gotland. Det är inte bara hästen som är viktig, utan även utrustning som återfanns i gravarna, som kan berätta om hästens sociala roll i samhället. När hästar påträffats i gravar har större vikt lagts på den mänskliga individen och artefakterna de fick med sig, men hästen är inte ett föremål och kan därför inte klumpas ihop med analysen av dessa. Utifrån denna uppsats kan man tyda en preferens för det manliga könet på hästen, men det behöver inte betyda att alla varit hingstar. / The aim of this study is to discuss the gender of the horse in a funerary context and as a wetland sacrifice. This is a comparative study based on textual source material. The theoretical concepts that will be used are gender theory, epistemology, agency and personhood, in hope to approachthe question of the gelding, the horse's third gender. The horse has had a significant role for humans, and it’s possible to interpret this in the different contexts in which skeletal remains of horses can be found. Four contexts from the Iron Age are examined in this essay, boat graves in Uppland, chamber graves on Björkö, equestrian graves on Gotland and wetland sacrifices on Öland and Gotland. It is not only the horse that is important, but also the equipment that was deposited, which can reveal the horse's social role in society. When horses are found in graves, more emphasis has been placed on the person and the artifacts they brought with them. But the horse is not an object and therefore cannot be lumped together with the analysis of these. Based on this essay, a preference for the male gender of the horse can be concluded, but this does not necessarily mean that they all have been stallions.

This bachelor thesis provides a study of two individuals from Buttle Änge, Gotland and the data of their health at the time of death. Possible profession or status of each individual has been discussed in correlation to the form of burial and then summated into a possible explanation. Individual 1, the buttle warrior, was determined a man with an age between 30-35 years and a stature of 180 centimetres. Individual 2, the armless individual, was determined a man with the age of 20-25 years and a stature of 175 centimetres. The analyse of the human skeletal material and excavation reports gave a context to how these two individuals were buried. The offerings or lack of offerings, in the grave gave an insight to the status of the burial for each individual. The Buttle Warrior gave indication on impact or change in the vertebrae which probably came from the way of movement he had in life. The lack of grave offerings in the grave of the armless individual have been discussed and formed a possible explanation that the armless individual lack skeleton of the arms because of a probable remove just before or short after burial. The two human remains origins from the Roman iron age, a period from 0 to 400 AD, both individuals was dated to a period of 0-150 AD.

In 1953, two individuals were excavated in Erik XIII’s alley, Visby, Gotland. After the excavation, the individuals did not undergo an osteological examination and were preserved for several years by the Gotland Museum. These two individuals were selected for this thesis to undergo an osteological analysis. The purpose of the essay was to identify and investigate the two individuals from Erik XIII's alley and illuminate the Viking age of Visby. A spatial analysis of Erik XIII's alley and the surrounding environment was carried out, to emphasize Visby’s Viking-age. Erik XIII's alley is in the northern part of Visby's inner city and is within walking distance of the two largest Viking-era burial grounds in Visby, Kopparsvik and Gustavsvik. Individual 1, who was judged to be a man, was approximately 182cm tall and was between 33-45 years old when he died. Individual 2 was judged to be a probable man and was between 17-25 at the time of his death and had an approximate length of 173cm. The individuals have only two common pathologies, which are osteophytes and tartar. Individual 2 had significantly fewer pathologies than individual 1, which may be a side effect of the age difference between them. In individual 1, enthesopathies were also identified, which were roughly consistent throughout the body, ligamente flava, pitting and osteoarthritis. Individual 2 showed changes from two different deficiency diseases, cribra orbitalia and enamel hypoplasia. The discussion is divided into three parts that emphasize the individuals, the comparison with other Viking-era individuals on Gotland and the spatial context. The individuals' pathologies are discussed, and possible interpretations of the individuals are presented. When the individuals from Erik XIII's alley are compared to other Viking-age individuals who have undergone osteological examinations, the result mainly varies. In the spatial context, possible interpretations of the graves are presented, which consist of an additional burial ground with different interpretations, as a burial ground for the king's company, or simple farm burials.