The ‘Meidum geese’ revisited: early historical art is not a suitable basis for taxonomic speculation

Kirwan, Guy M.; Broughton, Richard K.; Lees, Alexander C.; Ottenburghs, Jente; Tobias, Joseph A.. 2022 The ‘Meidum geese’ revisited: early historical art is not a suitable basis for taxonomic speculation. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 41, 103322. 5, pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103322

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103322

Abstract/Summary

Romilio (2021) used a taxonomic scoring system to compare differences between three species of geese (Anseriformes) depicted in the Chapel of Itet, one of which he speculated might represent an undescribed (presumably now extinct) species. Despite some apparently distinctive features, the depiction has traditionally been associated with the well-known modern species, red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis). We discuss limitations in applying the Tobias et al. (2010) scoring system to cases such as this, for which it was not designed, and we outline the many pitfalls that must be considered when attempting to identify historical artwork of birds using examples discussed recently in the ornithological literature. We conclude that the illustrations proposed by Romilio to represent a new Branta goose species are within the range of known plumage variation and potential artistic licence for red-breasted goose, and that this very probably is the species upon which the artwork was based. More generally, we caution against applying the Tobias criteria to cases where a series of specimens cannot be measured, and highlight the difficulties of using illustrations to inform taxonomy.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103322
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	2352-409X
Additional Keywords:	Ancient Egypt, avian taxonomy, Branta ruficollis, historical artwork, Tobias criteria
NORA Subject Terms:	Zoology
Date made live:	06 Jan 2022 17:06 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/531708

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103322

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

2352-409X

Additional Keywords:

Ancient Egypt, avian taxonomy, Branta ruficollis, historical artwork, Tobias criteria

NORA Subject Terms:

Zoology