Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Status Survey and Action Plan (1993)

 

Chapter 5.9

 

 

Origins of Domestication and the Pig Culture

 

 

William L. R. Oliver, Colin P. Groves, C. Roger Cox and Raleigh A. Blouch

 

 

Abstract and Action Plan Summary

 

The long and close association between people and pigs has crossed many biogeographic and ethnic boundaries. It is an association which, on archaeozoological evidence, dates back at least 40,000 years, and one which has involved the independent domestication of at least two species of Sus, and the carriage of these animals, or their domestic and hybrid derivatives, to all continental land masses and a great many oceanic islands. The resulting diversity of native and introduced forms has produced patterns of distribution and interrelationships of great confusion. Some of these forms are of potential importance in terms of genetic resources for the further domestication of one of man's major sources of animal protein, and some are of considerable anthropological interest in terms of the ethnic origins and the cultural integrity of various surviving tribal societies. However, many formerly important cultural and economic relationships between people and their pigs are breaking down as other economic options become available or religious prejudice fosters change in values. Nonetheless, pigs are still among the most important of all domestic animals, particularly in Asia where the annual consumption of pork exceeds that of all other domestic species put together.

 

The priority recommendations for future research on these topics include assessing the systematic affinities of selected feral and domestic pig populations, their current conservation status, and their continuing cultural and economic importance to local people, particularly those aboriginal (or early immigrant) groups with whom they may share a common geographic origin. The presently perceived priorities for this research are all in S. E. Asia, most notably the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Moluccas and the Mentawi and associated islands off west Sumatra. Assistance should also be provided for the development and implementation of management recommendations for the preservation of representative populations of: a) any seriously threatened endemic wild pigs; and b) ancient domestic or feral populations of known or potential genetic importance, or of demonstrable economic or cultural importance to local people.

 

 

Introduction

 

There has been a long and close association between people and pigs. It is an association which has crossed many biogeographic and ethnic boundaries and, in some South-east Asian tribal societies, has even acquired a ritualised symbolism of great cultural importance. It is an association which positively facilitated the early expansion of settling peoples, and enormously extended the range of the few, variously derived pigs which they carried with them. It is an association which is essentially, but seldom simply, exploitative, and one which is complicated by considerations of relevance to many different disciplinary standpoints. The pigs, perhaps more than any other animal, are a great many things to a great many people.

 

The confounding of human attitudes towards pigs is as apparent in the developed countries as in the less developed countries. Either way, they are as much a reflection of changing lifestyles as of opposing or ambivalent interests. Wild pigs which were formerly highly valued as a source of food are later regarded as pests requiring constant control for their depredations on crops, pasture, other livestock and native wildlife species. However, their otherwise desirable eradication, even if practical, may be vigorously opposed by subsistence or recreational hunters or the profitable interests of game meat industries. Equally, the continued demand for wild pork products may have strongly positive benefits in controlling the numbers of introduced pigs, whilst having a strongly negative impact on the distribution and numbers of some of the native wild pigs, which continue to represent a primary source of meat for some surviving hunting cultures.

 

Other factors may be involved. The recent decline of the endemic bearded pigs (Sus. b. barbatus) in those parts of Borneo which have been extensively deforested by logging companies, led MacKinnon (1981a) to refer to the extreme bitterness of the Segama villagers in Sabah who were thereby deprived of a resource on which they have been heavily dependent for hundreds of years. In the Andaman Islands (Bay of Bengal), a dwarf feral pig is one of the staple dietary items of the aboriginal negritos, but these animals have been drastically reduced in numbers, partly through widescale destruction of the Andaman forests and partly by over-hunting by more recent immigrant groups from the Indian sub-continent who compete directly with the negritos for this and other resources (Oliver & Brisbin, this vol.).

 

The Andaman Negritos have in some ways amongst the simplified cultures of all surviving hunter-gatherers. Their origins, and those of the pigs their ancestors presumably carried with them, are obscure, but their dependence on these animals dates back at least 2,000 years to judge from their subfossil remains in the earliest midden deposits found to date (P. Dutta, pers. comm.). Now, however, the future of these people, not to mention their pigs, is one of the most pressing of many conservation issues appertaining to these islands. Two of the four recognised groups, the Onges and the Andamanese, are now so reduced in numbers that their future survival is in doubt. Some of the few remaining Onges now keep domestic pigs, whereas the other tribes, the Jarawa and the Sentinelese, have always resisted contact with outsiders and are still dependent on the feral pigs as a basic resource. H. Abdulali (pers. comm.) has therefore suggested that the decline of these animals should be viewed as a matter of the greatest concern as..."their possible elimination would hasten that of the people too". However, while the evident decline of the negrito groups is linked to factors resulting in a corresponding decline in the feral pig population, it might be more realistic to suppose that the survival of these pigs will ultimately depend on the outside recognition and enforcement of the territorial prerogative and cultural integrity of the aboriginal peoples.

 

 

The Origins of Domestication

 

The origins of human exploitation of pigs can be traced to the midden deposits of some of the earliest hunting cultures. In caves in southern Sulawesi, the midden remains of the Sulawesian warty pig (S. celebensis), followed by those of the babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa), are again more numerous than any other species (MacKinnon, 1981b). Human remains c. 40,000 years B.P. found in the Niah Caves in Sarawak were associated with large numbers of pig bones and teeth. The bearded pig (S. barbatus) was the most commonly eaten large mammal (Cranbrook, 1979). Today, these pigs are still the most widely consumed wild animal in this part of Borneo, providing approximately 32,000 tonnes of carcass meat a year which is sufficient to supply nearly half the total annual protein requirement for Sarawak's 1.4. million human population (Caldecott and Hyaoi, 1985).

 

The importance of the pig as a primary source of animal protein naturally resulted in its early domestication, and it is now amongst the most abundant and widely distributed of all domestic animals. There is evidence that local wild pigs were independently domesticated in Europe, in Asia Minor, the Far East (including Japan) and in various parts of South-east Asia (Zeuner, 1963; Herre, 1969; Eusebio, 1980; Ma, 1980; Groves, 1981). The remains of early domestic pigs are sometimes associated with those of wild pigs which were still hunted, and differences between clinal variants of the wild pigs have been related to differences between the early domesticates of these regions. In Europe and the Near East, in places as scattered as Jarmo in north-eastern Iraq, Jericho in Jordan, and several sites in southern Greece, the earliest records of domestic pigs date back to the first appearance of permanent settlements in c. 8,500 years B.P. (Clutton-Brock, 1987). It has often been assumed that these remains represent the earliest evidence of the domestication of these animals, but it is possible that their ancestry is older in the Far East and in South-east Asia. White and Allen (1980), for example, cited the evidence of 'fossilised' pig wallows to suggest that pigs had been domesticated in the Far East as early as 11,000 years B.P., though other interpretations (such as the planting of water-loving root crops) have been placed on the origin of similar wallows in the 9,000 B.P. deposits in the Wahgi Valley, New Guinea (J. Golson, pers. comm.). Similar doubts have also been placed on Solheim's (1972) suggestion that pigs were first domesticated in Thailand as early as 12,000 years B.P., and the remains of these animals in the earliest midden deposits in New Guinea (c. 10,000 years B.P.) refer to individual teeth which are easily trodden down into deeper layers (M.-J. Mountain, pers. comm.).

 

Whatever the antiquity of such remains, there is no doubt that pigs were independently domesticated in different parts of the world. In New Guinea, for instance, the so-called 'Sus papuensis' - are almost certainly a hybrid swarm of S. scrofa vittatus x S. celebensis derivation, which were introduced by human agency (Groves, 1981). It is not yet clear whether the antecedents of these animals were carried as a hybrid form or whether they have hybridised on New Guinea following the early, separate introductions of domestic or feral derivatives of each of these species. However, the former hypothesis is actually more likely, since there are other populations of hybrid feral pigs in the Moluccas which are practically indistinguishable from the New Guinea pigs, as well as apparently pure-bred derivatives of each of these species on some other islands in this Group, and in the Lesser Sunda chain of islands.

 

The origins and systematic affinities of some of these introduced pig populations are also of potential anthropological interest in terms of tracing the origins and ethnic relationships of the various tribal groups whose ancestors often carried pigs with them. Such considerations are less esoteric than they might appear in view of our greatly improved understanding of the distribution and interrelationships of the genus Sus in South-east Asia. A case in point is the recent hypothesis, based on linguistic comparisons, that the ethnically aberrant tribal peoples inhabiting the islands of Simeulue and Nias off western Sumatra, were most closely related to the Buginese or other southern Sulawesi groups (W. Foley, pers. comm.). The evidence for this has been strongly reinforced by Groves' (1981) revelation that the equally 'out-of-place' feral pigs on these islands were of S. celebensis stock (Groves, 1981).

 

 

The ‘Pig Cultures’

 

Whilst it is often necessary to rely on archaeozoological evidence to interpret the history of domestication, its development and cultural implications may be more clearly assessed from the relationships between these animals and some of the surviving tribal cultures. In many parts of South-east Asia, various kinds of wild pigs are still among the most important sources of animal protein. In parts of Borneo, for instance, S. barbatus remains relatively abundant and may be seasonally present in thousands. These pigs are simply hunted by hill tribals who do not practise domestication, although an introduced S. scrofa domesticate is one of the most commonly kept animals in some of the settled coastal communities. Nonetheless, Banks (1931) reported that the nomadic Punan occasionally kept tame bearded pigs which they had caught as orphans while hunting. This habit of raising wild piglets can also be seen on Buru and Seram amongst settled communities who do not keep truly domesticated pigs but who frequently hunt the introduced celebensis and scrofa x celebensis pigs (respectively) with bows and spears. On Siberut, a similarly introduced, and barely modified scrofa pig runs feral, but is regularly fed and lured into cage traps whenever required for eating. In New Guinea and the Nicobar Islands, domesticated pigs are kept and fed, although feral pigs are still hunted and are prized for their meat.

 

As a primary economic resource, pigs, whether wild or domestic, have sometimes acquired a ritualistic symbolism of great cultural importance in many tribal societies. On Bawean and Buru, the skulls of wild pigs are revered as trophies and they are hung from longhouses in Siberut. Omens are read from their intestines and strict rules govern who eats which part of each pig. Such aspects of the culture are also reminiscent of human cannibalism, with the general recognition that the human flesh is most like that of the pig (MacKinnon, 1981b). In Borneo, the flesh and other parts of the pig are of great importance in many traditional customs, and are often linked with lore and ceremony of great antiquity (Medway, 1973). Pig jaws are displayed as hunting trophies - symbols of the prowess of the hunter and a tally of the number of pigs killed - and are often buried with the owner on his death. On the island of Seram they are buried before the start of each new period of hunting, which may be prompted by the death of one of the dogs or the breakage of a bow or spear. The prominent display of pig jaws is also believed to deter pilferers, and even to deflect evil spirits which are reputed to be afraid of pigs.

 

The importance of the pig is also reflected in the traditional customs of peoples who practise domestication. In the Nicobar Islands, Mathur (1967) has described how pigs: ...."occupy an exalted place in the sentiments of the people, who feel very much when any pig is even slightly injured". The Nicobarese dearly love their pigs, and even compose songs in their praise. Nevertheless, the eating of pork is essential on all festive occasions and during convalescence. Pigs are regarded as symbols of wealth and status, and are given or imposed as fines in the settlement of disputes. The Nicobarese also hunt feral pigs, which are not only considered prize trophies, but they are used for the traditional practice of 'pig-fighting'. The latter is both a sport and a test of valour in which a tethered (and usually mildly intoxicated) wild pig is supposed to be grasped by its ears.

 

The dog, as well as the pig, is closely interwoven with the culture of some of the Pacific Islanders, since both have been the most important suppliers of meat for thousands of years. Orphaned piglets, like puppies, are sometimes nursed by the women, and may attain the status of pets. They are raised with great care and given or exchanged as gifts or as bride price. In Vannatu (formerly, New Hebrides), Baker (1929) recorded that pigs were the standard currency of the people and that a man's wealth, and hence his status, could be measured by the number of pigs that he owned or could extort from others through his ability to pretend he possessed magical powers. Harris (1977) described how the Marang people in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea raise pigs as members of their families, and that the men put a higher value on their pigs than on their wives. Pigs are often kept more for the purposes of ceremonial rituals and for trade than as a source of food. However, they are also sacrificed to the ancestors and eaten on all-important occasions (Harris, 1977). About every twelve years each Marang clan also holds a year-long festival or 'kaiko', which includes a massive slaughter of pigs followed by several months of fighting with neighboring tribes. After a number of cycles of battles and feasting, in which the pigs are sacrificed to placate the ancestors and succor the warriors, the supply of adult pigs dries up and fighting ceases for several years, until a new herd of pigs is reared for the next kaiko (Rappaport, 1968).

 

Pigs also play a crucial role in the ceremonial exchange systems between neighboring clans in New Guinea. An outstanding example of this is the 'tee' of the Tombena-Enga people, which Feil (1987) described as: "..perhaps the most elaborate and highly developed system in terms of the number of distinct communities involved and their interlocking dependence, in its geographical extent, and its organizational rules and requirements". With adjoining groups, more than 200,000 people may be involved in the Enga tee which, as Feil suggested, might be more appropriately referred to as the 'mena (or 'pig') tee', because it gives pigs the highest, almost sole, exchange value. Thus, pigs are needed for virtually every presentation in the Enga tee: to obtain wives, to compensate enemies and allies, and to achieve personal power and prestige (Feil, 1976). People do not eat all their own pigs in the Highlands of New Guinea because: .."by giving pigs to other men links between men are created and structures of social organization evolve" (Rubel & Rosman, 1978).

 

The pig culture is deep-rooted and is as strongly developed amongst the Proto-Malays and Malays as it is among Papuans and Melanesian peoples (MacKinnon, 1981b). However, as Clutton-Brock (1981) has pointed out: "The pig, more than any other animal, has also been subject to the whims of human taste and religious scruple." The recent spread of Islam has now weakened the pig-culture in many areas to the point where wild pigs are actively persecuted as agricultural pests rather than being esteemed, even revered, as a basic resource. In Java, where the human population is now predominantly Muslim, the native warty pig S. v. verrucosus and the sympatric Indonesian wild boar or banded pig S. s. vittatus are shot or poisoned as vermin, and captive animals in zoological gardens have sometimes been spat at or stoned by the visiting public. On Sumba, Sumbawa and Flores, feral pigs originally introduced as domesticates or released for hunting are now poisoned as vermin, although their meat may soon form the basis for a canning industry for export to Japan. In 1954, a coastal Muslim community in Borneo even declared war on a hill tribe who had 'polluted' their water supply with the blood of bearded pigs they had killed upstream (J. MacKinnon, pers. comm.). Tension between the Muslims and groups of differing religious persuasion in Borneo led McNeely and Wachtel (1988) to suggest that these animals separate the people of this island more effectively than any artificial boundary. Such changing attitudes, however, are as much a reflection of changing lifestyles as an expression of religious prejudice. As earlier hunting cultures are transformed to an economy based largely on agriculture, the value of wild pigs as a resource is likely to be offset by their depredations on the crops of the subsistence farmer. Contrarily, the adaptability and prolificacy of the pigs, particularly domestic pigs, is certain to ensure their continued economic importance as one of the principal sources of animal protein. This is especially true in Asia where, for example, the annual consumption of pork exceeds 20 million tonnes per year, an amount greater than the total consumption of all other domesticated species put together (FAO, 1985).

 

 

Ancient Domesticates as a Future Resource?

 

In many areas, wild pigs - particularly feral pigs - interbreed regularly with domestic pigs. Indeed, in places such as the Nicobar Islands (Mathur, 1967) and the New Guinea Highlands (Rappaport, 1968), the genetic continuity of wild and domestic pigs is positively encouraged by the castration of domestic boars to promote their docility. In these circumstances, domestic sows are necessarily mated by wild boars. However, this can be a two-way process, with free-ranging domesticates interbreeding with wild animals and they, or their progeny becoming naturalized - often to the detriment of the genetic integrity of the wild population (Oliver et al., this vol.) through the introduction of domestic genes. Conversely, the introduction of wild genes into a (often highly in-bred) domestic population can be highly beneficial in terms of local adaptive characters or increased heterosis. In any event, the enormous array of native and introduced, wild and domestic pigs, often of ancient lineage and of widely varying derivation, also represent a potentially invaluable genetic resource, as yet barely explored, for the further domestication of these animals.

 

This situation is exemplified by the recent revelation that S. celebensis is a localized progenitor of some present-day domestic and feral forms (Groves, 1981). This has obvious implications for our better understanding of the genetic resources available for the possible improvement of domestic breeds, and it clearly refutes the widespread assumption that all modern domesticates are derived from the Eurasian wild pig, S. scrofa. The recent separation of the wild pigs of the eastern Philippines from S. celebensis to either S. barbatus philippensis (Groves, 1981) or S. philippensis (Groves & Grubb, this vol.) is also relevant in this context, since it may add yet another species to the list of wild progenitors in view of Eusebio's (1980) belief that the ancient breeds of Philippine's pigs were independently derived from the domestication of native forms. Similarly, the suggestion of Swinhoe (1870), recently endorsed by Ma (1980) that the Taiwanese ancient breeds are derived from local wild pigs (S. s. taivanus), offers further presumptive evidence for an even wider genetic base amongst regional domesticates and ferals than has been generally appreciated. It is therefore necessary to return to Zeuner's (1963) assertion that domestic - or, rather, artificially modified - pigs are descended from several species, as opposed to the regionally variable species S. scrofa (Epstein, 1971; Clutton-Brock, 1981). Leastways, this is appears to be true among Asiatic domesticates, though most archaeozoologists hold the view that European domestic pigs are wholly descended from S. scrofa, albeit that these were crossed with oriental breeds of this species in the late 18th Century (J. Clutton-Brock, pers. comm.).

 

Unfortunately, many of the potentially most valuable aboriginal or ancient Asiatic breeds, or their descendant ferals, are either no longer maintained or are otherwise threatened by genetic swamping, over-hunting or habitat destruction. As far as is known, for instance, the aforementioned Philippine and Taiwanese native breeds are unrepresented as feral populations, and both have become increasingly scarce as domesticates as a result of their widespread replacement by 'improved' (mostly ex-Chinese) breeds. Although some of the variously derived celebensis pigs are still found in all states ranging from domestic through hybrid-domestic and hybrid-feral, to feral and simply introduced (i.e. unmodified) populations, some of the most interesting populations are certainly threatened. The Simeulue pig, for example, which had been previously considered a valid subspecies of S. scrofa or even a separate species, 'S. mimus', was felt to be so distinct that special efforts might be justified to protect the remaining wild population (MacKinnon, 1981b; Oliver and Brisbin, this vol.). In the light of Groves' findings, however, it is most unlikely that this would merit high objective priority in conservation terms, even though these pigs obviously remain as distinct in real terms as they were before clarification of their taxonomic status. Essentially the same situation may obtain with respect to the Andaman pigs, where the recent acceptance of their feral status has considerably weakened attempts to promote their effective conservation. However, these pigs remain technically fully protected under the terms of their Schedule 1 listing in the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; albeit that their inclusion was based on the hitherto mistaken belief that they were a truly endemic wild form (M. K. Ranjitsinh, pers. comm.).

 

 

Research and Conservation Measures Proposed:

An Action Plan

 

Objectives:

 

1.      To promote more pure and applied research on the importance of pigs, both culturally and economically, to indigenous people, particularly in developing countries.

 

2.      To conduct field surveys in selected, critical areas, known or likely to be of greatest interest to determining the origins/centers of dispersal of ancient domesticates, and their present status and utilisation by local people.

 

3.      To examine existing hypotheses about the origins and interrelationships of native and introduced pigs, both wild and domestic, with particular reference to cytogenetic comparisons, mitochondrial DNA sequencing and the potential importance of these animals as genetic resources.

 

4.      To develop and assist implementation of management plans to ensure the future survival and genetic integrity of representative populations of the most distinct and/or scientifically (including anthropologically) most interesting and important native (wild or domestic) pig populations.

 

 

Priority Projects:

 

1.      Assess current status, distribution and (where possible) the interrelationships between wild pigs and aboriginal people of the Andaman Islands, with particular reference to the threats posed to these animals and the enhanced future protection of representative populations on each of the main islands.

 

2.      Assess distribution and genetic diversity of the wild and domestic pigs on the Nicobar Islands, with particular reference to their cultural and economic importance to the various local tribal peoples, and the identification of any possibly surviving aboriginal stock.

 

3.      Conduct surveys of wild and domestic pigs in the Moluccas and associated islands, with a view to assessing the systematic relationships of these animals, the level and nature of their utilisation by local people, and their possible origins and role as an early center of wild pig domestication and dispersal.

 

4.      Conduct surveys of wild and domestic pigs in the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Mentawi Islands, Nias and Simeulue, with a view to re-assessing the systematic affinities of these animals and their significance in terms of the known or possible origins of the various ethnic groups inhabiting these islands, the present status of any ancient feral and domestic pig populations and the nature and level of their utilisation by local people.

 

5.      Test existing hypotheses about native domestic breeds being derived from local wild pigs in the Philippines, Taiwan, India and other selected locations, assess present status of these animals and, if necessary, assist development and implementation of recommendations for their preservation as ancient native breeds.

 

6.      Conduct archival research of records of early European maritime explorers and traders to trace accounts of any trade in wild and domesticate pigs, particularly between Europe and S. E. Asia from Spanish, Portuguese, Venetian and Dutch sources during the 14th - 16th Centuries.

 

 

Acknowledgements:

 

Dr. Juliet Clutton-Brock and Dr. Alastair Macdonald both provided helpful comments on earlier drafts of this text, whilst an unpublished review of the status of wild pigs in Indonesia (1981) by Dr. John MacKinnon provided much of the original impetus for this chapter. Their contribution, and that of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust during literature research, is gratefully acknowledged.

 

 

References

 

Baker, J. R. 1929. Man and Animals in the New Hebrides. George Routledge, London.

 

Banks, E. 1931. A popular account of the mammals of Borneo. J. Malaysia Br. Royal Asiatic Soc. 9 (2): 24.

 

Caldecott, J. and Caldecott, S. 1985. A horde of pork. New Scientist, 15 August 1985: 32-35.

 

Caldecott, J. and Nyaoi, A. 1985. Sarawak's wildlife: a resource to be taken seriously. Sarawak Gazette April 1985: 31-32.

 

Clutton-Brock, J. 1981. A Natural History of Domesticated Animals. British Museum (Natural History), London and Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge: 208 pp.

 

Cranbrook, Earl of 1979. A review of domestic pig remains from archaeological sites in Sarawak. Sarawak Mus. J. XXVII (48): 79-87.

 

Epstein, H. 1971. The Origins of the Domestic Animals of Africa, Vol. II. Africana Publ. Corp., New York: 311-381.

 

Eusebio, A. N. 1980. Animal genetic resources in the Philippines. In: Proceedings of SABRAO Workshop on Animal Genetic Resources in Asia and Oceania. Tropical Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan: 313-338.

 

FAO. 1985. Production yearbook, 1984. Food and Agriculture Organisation, Rome.

 

Feil, D. K. 1976. Pigs, people and punishment. Australian Nat. Hist. 18: 444-447.

 

Feil, D. K. 1987. Ways of Exchange. University of Queensland Press, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia: 269 pp.

 

Groves, C. P. 1981. Ancestors for the Pigs - Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Genus Sus. Tech. Bull. No. 3, Dept. of Prehistory, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University Press, Canberra: 96pp

 

Harris, M. 1977. Cows, Pigs, Wars and Witches. Fountain Press, Glasgow.

 

Herre, W. 1969. The science and history of domestic animals. In: Brothwell, D. & Higg, E. (eds): Science in Archaeology. Thames and Hudson, London: 257-272.

 

Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972. Government of India.

 

Ma, R. C. 1980. Animal genetic resources in Taiwan. In: Proceedings of SABRAO Workshop on Animal Genetic Resources in Asia and Oceania. Trop. Agric. Res. Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan: 339-385.

 

MacKinnon, J. 1981a. Nature conservation in Sabah - Report on visit to Sabah, August 1981. (Unpubl.) field report No.26 of UNDP/FAO National Parks Development Project INS/78/061, Bogor.

 

MacKinnon, J. 1981b. The distribution and status of wild pigs in Indonesia. (Unpubl.) rep. to I.U.C.N./S.S.C. Pigs and Peccaries Specialist Group: 9pp.

 

Mathur, K. K. 1967. Nicobar Islands. National Book Trust, New Delhi.

 

McNeely, J. A. and Wachtel, P. S. 1988. Soul of the Tiger: Searching for Nature's Answers in Exotic Southeast Asia. Doubleday, New York: 168-178.

 

Medway, Lord 1973. The antiquity of domesticated pigs in Sarawak. J. Malaysian Br. Royal Asiatic Soc. 46(2): 169-178.

 

Rappaport, R. 1968. Pigs for the Ancestors. Yale University Press, New Haven.

 

Rubel, P. and Rosman, A. 1978. Your Own Pigs You May Not Eat. University of Chicago Press.

 

Solheim, W. G. 1972. An earlier agricultural revolution. Sci. Amer. 266 (4): 34-41.

 

Swinhoe, R. 1870. Catalogue of the mammals of China (south of the River Yangtze) and of the Island of Formosa. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 38: 615-653.

 

White, J. P. and Allen, J. 1980. Melanesian prehistory: some recent advances. Science 207: 728-734.

 

Zeuner, F. E. 1963. A History of Domesticated Animals. Thames and Hudson, London.

 

 

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