Morphological and Morphometric Analysis of Animal Hair From 18th Century Burial Sites in Mazamet, Southwest France
November 2025
in “
Archaeometry
”
TLDR Animal hair from 18th-century Mazamet burial sites shows locals used goat, badger, cow, or horse fur for clothing, indicating modest economic status.
The study analyzed approximately 50 animal hair samples from 18th-century burial sites in Mazamet, France, using light and electron microscopy. The findings suggest that the hairs originated from common species like goat, badger, cow, or horse, reflecting the modest socio-economic status of the individuals buried there and indicating practical use of fur. Despite limitations such as small sample size and potential taphonomic alterations, the study offers valuable insights into the material culture and burial practices of rural France during that period, demonstrating the effectiveness of microscopy in archaeological research.
