Archaeozoology and Biomolecular Analysis in Archaic Phoenician Gadir—The Site of Sagasta–Tinte (9th–8th Centuries BC)

Faunal remains constitute one of the main sources of evidence for reconstructing foodways and economic practices in Phoenician societies. Archaeological research conducted over recent decades in the Iberian Peninsula has highlighted their importance for understanding food production processes, maintenance activities, and animal consumption patterns linked to livestock management, fishing, shellfish gathering, and the use of bone for tool making. In this paper, we present the results of zooarchaeological and taphonomic analyses of mammal, bird, fish, and mollusc remains recovered from the archaeological excavation at the corner of Sagasta and Tinte Streets in Cádiz, Spain. These data are integrated with biomolecular analyses, specifically ancient DNA of bovine specimens, and organic residue analysis of two storage vessels. Radiocarbon dating places these remains at the end of the 9th and the beginning of the 8th century BC, providing a key reference point for understanding archaic Phoenician occupation in the region. The archaeofaunal evidence highlights the central role of livestock, particularly sheep, goats and cattle, alongside the intensive use of marine resources such as fish and molluscs, and the exploitation of wetland environments for duck hunting. The archaeogenomics analysis of two bovine remains yielded <1% endogenous DNA content, consistent with poor DNA preservation at this site, although it allowed for sex determination of one female individual. Additionally, lipid residue analysis from the storage ceramics enabled the identification of foodstuffs once contained within them. Finally, evidence for the use of bone in the production of bone tools has also been documented. All biotic remains from the Sagasta–Tinte site have been compared with those from other regional sites to contextualise the findings.