Greek's food and other's food: the role of diet in the construction of social identity. Archaeozoology of a Greek colony and a native settlement within its inland

In human history food has not been only a mean of support and an outcome of economic strategies, but an expression of behaviour, values and ethic rules as well. Food habits show cultural options, reflect ideology and power structure, they are elements of familiar and political aggregation and therefore they are constitutive parts of the community and the social identity. The food system is a communication code that delivers different values and meanings, it is an instrument of self-description and cultural exchange. From the written sources the Greek society, during the identity creation process, appears to be featured by a constant will to self-portraying as civilized, in opposition of barbarity. But, while studying the eating habits of the ancient people, we need to consider, in addition to the written sources – often influenced by different elements – the archaeozoological analysis. The archaeozoological analysis of the faunal remains coming from the Greek colony of Leontini and from Monte Catalfaro – a native settlement in its inland – has proven sure enough that in the archaic-classic period the boundary between the "civilized" Greeks and "barbarian" natives was not so distinct and clear, instead has revealed the presence of elements of exchange and cultural integration.