Zooarchaeological data and recording methods: The Etrusco-Roman sanctuary of Bagno Grande at San Casciano dei Bagni (Siena)

(1) Overview This dataset contains raw zooarchaeological data and information on the recording methodology and data structure underlying analysis of faunal materials from the excavations at the Etrusco-Roman thermo-mineral sanctuary of Bagno Grande at San Casciano dei Bagni (Siena). It accompanies publication of preliminary zooarchaeological results from materials collected during the 2021–2024 excavation seasons: Trentacoste, A. (2025) Animals in and beyond the sanctuary: preliminary zooarchaeological results. In E. Mariotti, A. Salvi and J. Tabolli (eds), Il Santuario Ritrovato 3. Oltre il Bronzo. Rapporto Preliminare di Scavo al Bagno Grande di San Casciano dei Bagni (2023-2024). Livorno: Sillabe Archaeological investigation at Bagno Grande has revealed a multi-stratified sacred site, dating from the late 4th century BC to the early 5th century AD. Excavation is exploring a small multi-phase temple centred on a sacred pool, into which a series of stratified ritual deposits with hundreds of votive offerings were deposited. Zooarchaeological analysis of the faunal remains recovered from Bagno Grande aims to better understand the role of animals in the life, reorganisation, and decommissioning of the sanctuary, including ritual and cultic activities, and to elucidate broader patterns of animal exploitation in the wide area surrounding the sacred site. Details, results and discussion are available in the paper above. The zooarchaeological dataset included here consists of information on 838 faunal remains. Considering remains containing diagnostic zones, the number of specimens identified to taxon and element for each period was: Republican–imperial n = 84; Late antique construction/frequentation n =116; Late antique abandonment = 18; Early modern = 10; Modern = 37. Note that this research is on-going. New versions and updates are expected. Any future updates will be released on this platform as new versions of the dataset. (2) Dataset description Spatial coverage and archaeological context: Remains derive from the 2021–2024 excavations at Bagno Grande at San Casciano dei Bagni (Siena, Italy). Information on excavation area (intra-site spatial differences) is associated with each specimen. Temporal coverage: 4th century BC – modern. Faunal materials were associated a chronological period based on stratigraphy and associated artefacts: Republican–imperial Late antique construction/frequentation Late antique abandonment Early modern Modern Object names:SCB_Fauna_v01.csv – A tabular file containing the zooarchaeological raw data and the contextual information for each specimen.SCB_ZooarchRecordingProtocol_v01.pdf – A document with text and images detailing the recording methodology and data structure. Data type: Original, primary data Format names and versions: Comma-separated values (.csv), Portable Document Format (.pdf) Language: English Keywords: Zooarchaeology, Etruscan, Roman, ritual, animal husbandry Subjects: Archaeology (3) Reuse potential These data on faunal remains can be aggregated for use in other zooarchaeological studies, e.g. on diachronic investigation of size change, mortality patterns, or species preference. Documentation of recording methodology can serve as a model for future studies. Note that this research is on-going, and that updates, refinements and new data are expected to be added as excavation continues. Future versions of this dataset will be released on this platform. (4) Funding information and acknowledgements This research was supported by The British School at Rome and a Visiting Fellowship at Università per Stranieri di Siena. Many thanks to M. Lisowski for assistance with the images. Competing interests: The author has no competing interests to declare. (5) Further Relevant References Mariotti, E. and Tabolli, J. (eds) 2021. Il Santuario Ritrovato. Nuovi Scavi e Ricerche al Bagno Grande di San Casciano dei Bagni. Livorno: Sillabe. Mariotti, E. Salvi, A. and Tabolli, J. (eds) 2023. Il Santuario Ritrovato 2. Dentro la Vasca Sacra. Rapporto Preliminare di Scavo al Bagno Grande di San Casciano dei Bagni. Livorno: Sillabe. E. Mariotti, A. Salvi and J. Tabolli (eds) 2025. Il Santuario Ritrovato 3. Oltre il Bronzo. Rapporto Preliminare di Scavo al Bagno Grande di San Casciano dei Bagni (2023-2024). Livorno: Sillabe