The domestic chicken ( Gallus gallus) in sub-Saharan Africa: A background to its introduction and its osteological differentiation from indigenous fowls (Numidinae and Francolinus sp.)

The co-occurrence of domestic guineafowl ( Numida meleagris) and chicken ( Gallus gallus) in prehistoric sites both in Africa and Europe has necessitated the construction of an osteological key to aid in their differentiation. This study deals particularly with the osteomorphological and to a lesser extent osteometric separation of fowls in a West African context (including larger Francolinus sp., Numida, Guttera and Agelastes sp. and Gallus gallus). This article will, however, be of interest to other Africanist and European researchers as well. The spread of the African guineafowl into Europe during the 5th century bc or earlier and Asiatic chickens into West Africa before 850 ad are important indicators of cultural contact which have gone relatively unnoticed. A summary of archaeological data available concerning the chicken in Africa is provided to give a background to the problem.