Morphological and Morphometric Analysis of Animal Hair From 18th Century Burial Sites in Mazamet (Southwest France)

Overview & Synopsis

Morphological and morphometric analysis of archaeological animal hairs offers a nondestructive method to explore past clothing. We examined hair from two 18th-century burial areas (SP03 and SP04) in Mazamet, France. SP03 specimens exhibited a continuous medulla, a low medullary index (0.2 ± 0.03) and cuticular features suggesting goat or badger hair. In contrast, SP04 samples showed a fragmented medulla, a slightly higher medullary index (0.26 ± 0.04) and scale characteristics similar to cow or horse hair. These findings suggest the use of common and local animal furs, consistent with the modest status of the individuals and Mazamet's economy. | Archaeological Hair AnalysisCompared to bones or teeth, hairs are less frequently recovered in archaeological contexts. Nevertheless, under certain conditions, hairs can be preserved over extended periods although numerous factors influence their degradation. Temperature plays a