- Zooarchaeology, Archaeozoology, Archaeology, Roman Archaeology, Anglo-Saxon archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, and 8 moreHistory of Food, Human-Animal Relations, Human-Animal Studies, Human-Animal Relationships, History of Animal Husbandry, British Archaeology, European Archaeology, and Italian Archaeologyedit
European Journal of Archaeology Special Issue 'Animal husbandry in the western Roman Empire: a zooarchaeological perspective' 20(3): 535-556.
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In 'The Oxford Handbook of Zooarchaeology', edited by Umberto Albarella, Mauro Rizzetto, Hannah Russ, Kim Vickers, and Sarah Viner Daniels.
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This book presents a survey of world archaeology, from the point of view of animal remain studies. It can be considered as a showcase for world zooarchaeology. Forty-eight chapters written by researchers from twenty-five countries discuss... more
This book presents a survey of world archaeology, from the point of view of animal remain studies. It can be considered as a showcase for world zooarchaeology. Forty-eight chapters written by researchers from twenty-five countries discuss archaeological investigations in five different continents. The geographic range covers the Arctic as well as the Tropics, islands and continental land masses, marine shores, forests, hills and mountains. Human interactions with many different creatures – ranging from mammals to birds, fishes and molluscs – are discussed, and in a great variety of ecological and cultural contexts. Methodological approaches are also diverse, as they are chosen according to the themes and research questions discussed in individual chapters. The full range of zooarchaeological methods is on display, but also integration with evidence deriving from sister disciplines, such as history, ethnography, zoology, palaeontology and biochemistry. A methodological glossary helps the reader, particularly the non-specialist, to get a grasp of the multitude of methodological approaches presented in the book. Most aspects of human-animal relationships – from hunting to husbandry, herding, fishing as well as the use of animals in ritual and social contexts – are discussed in one or more chapters, also covering all the greatest human civilizations. As a whole, these investigations authoritatively show the essential role that animals have played in human history. The book is the result of an ambitious project, never previously attempted at such scale; it aims to affirm the centrality of zooarchaeology in our investigation of past humanities.
The MARS series is organised by the Medieval & Ancient Research Centre at the University of Sheffield (MARCUS) and presents the results of research conducted on the ancient and medieval worlds within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
Research Interests: Roman History, Zooarchaeology, Human-Animal Relations, Post-Roman Britain, Roman Britain, and 13 moreBiometry, Human-Animal Studies, Animal Husbandry, Animal Management, Butchery, Sheep, Early Anglo-Saxon Period, Pig Farming, Cattle, Early Anglo-Saxon archaeology, History of Butchery, Roman Archaeology, and Archeology
The collapse of the Roman world-system in the 5th century AD implied major political, socio-cultural, and economic changes in the territories of the former Empire and beyond. Animal remains are very well-placed to inform on such... more
The collapse of the Roman world-system in the 5th century AD implied major political, socio-cultural, and economic changes in the territories of the former Empire and beyond. Animal remains are very well-placed to inform on such developments, due to the importance of specialised food production and distribution practices within the Roman Empire, and to the very different strategies of food provision that characterised early post-Roman Europe. This paper focusses on changes in cattle husbandry during the late Roman-early Anglo-Saxon transition in Britain; this species played a key role in the Roman economy and maintained its importance in the early post-Roman period, alongside the other main domestic animals. In particular, biometrical analyses are employed to assess the fate of Roman improved cattle types, which appeared in these regions as the Empire expanded northwards. The results reveal a size reduction during the early Anglo-Saxon period; this is interpreted in light of the different role and scale of cattle exploitation, and contextualised within the changing political and socio-economic conditions of north-west Europe. Changes in cattle exploitation are also revealed by culling profiles, that suggest a greater focus on meat and dairy products in the early Anglo-Saxon period while, for Roman times, ageing data highlight the importance of cattle in agricultural works. Finally, different approaches to carcass processing have been detected for the two periods; such differences do not only reflect the contrasting scales and objectives of food production, but also reveal the presence of distinctive butchery traditions.
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The management of animal resources for food production is highly affected by a range of economic and socio-cultural variables. This contribution analyses food production and consumption at the two Roman sites of Pakenham and Icklingham,... more
The management of animal resources for food production is highly affected by a range of economic and socio-cultural variables. This contribution analyses food production and consumption at the two Roman sites of Pakenham and Icklingham, and at the Early Anglo-Saxon site of West Stow. Differences in animal exploitation highlighted at the three sites are a direct reflection of the different economic needs and cultural preferences that characterise these two periods of British history. At the Roman sites, the need to produce a surplus to fuel the taxation cycle implied a major focus on cattle, that was widely exploited in agricultural works and could provide large quantities of meat. The presence of specific beef products also highlights the spread of butchery practices and cultural preferences from the Continent. On the other hand, the more generalised pattern of animal exploitation at Early Anglo-Saxon West Stow, as well as its focus on pig and sheep husbandry, reveal a completely different approach to animal management, mainly determined by the sudden demise of Roman influences, the smaller scale of the animal economy, more limited resource availability, and environmental variables.
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The faunal assemblage from early Anglo-Saxon West Stow (SE Britain) produced a large number of caprine mandibles. Tooth and bone diagnostic morphological and biometrical criteria for sheep-goat distinction suggest all caprine remains at... more
The faunal assemblage from early Anglo-Saxon West Stow (SE Britain) produced a large number of caprine mandibles. Tooth and bone diagnostic morphological and biometrical criteria for sheep-goat distinction suggest all caprine remains at the site belonged to sheep. This provided the opportunity to construct new mandibular wear stage estimation tables, relying on a very high number of specimens, recovered from West Stow and few other contemporary sites. In addition to the teeth usually employed for ageing (dP4 and M1-3), the eruption stages and presence of the dP2 and dP3 were included, counteracting the usual underrepresentation of juvenile mandibles caused by preferential taphonomic destruction. The application of the new tables on the West Stow assemblage itself shows that the main advantage provided is a fairer representation of juvenile individuals, that can lead to different interpretations of the kill-off pattern.
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The distinctive character of Roman husbandry practices in north-west Europe has long been acknowledged. Despite some limited regional differences, husbandry focussed on cattle, that were intensively exploited in agricultural works; the... more
The distinctive character of Roman husbandry practices in north-west Europe has long been acknowledged. Despite some limited regional differences, husbandry focussed on cattle, that were intensively exploited in agricultural works; the main aim was the production of an agricultural surplus, that fuelled the taxation cycle imposed by the Roman state. At the same time, standardised culling and butchery of the main domestic species favoured large-scale meat production and distribution. These outputs benefited greatly from the size and robustness improvement of domesticates, attested in Britain since the 1st century AD.
This research aims at identifying and interpreting changes in animal husbandry at the transition between the late Roman and early Anglo-Saxon periods in Britain. The results show that the typical characters of Roman animal husbandry persisted unchanged until the very end of the 4th century AD. Faunal assemblages from early Anglo-Saxon settlements often present considerable differences. Intensive exploitation of cattle disappears, being replaced by more generalised patterns where all domesticates are well represented and exploited for a variety of primary and secondary products. In most cases, size improvement is lost, reflecting different practical constraints and economic needs.
These dramatic changes underline the key role played by the Roman Empire in shaping husbandry practices in its northern provinces, and show food production strategies were not affected by mid-late Roman political and military crises. At the same time, early Anglo-Saxon communities actively adapted their food economy according to smaller-scale needs and different socio-political conditions.
This research aims at identifying and interpreting changes in animal husbandry at the transition between the late Roman and early Anglo-Saxon periods in Britain. The results show that the typical characters of Roman animal husbandry persisted unchanged until the very end of the 4th century AD. Faunal assemblages from early Anglo-Saxon settlements often present considerable differences. Intensive exploitation of cattle disappears, being replaced by more generalised patterns where all domesticates are well represented and exploited for a variety of primary and secondary products. In most cases, size improvement is lost, reflecting different practical constraints and economic needs.
These dramatic changes underline the key role played by the Roman Empire in shaping husbandry practices in its northern provinces, and show food production strategies were not affected by mid-late Roman political and military crises. At the same time, early Anglo-Saxon communities actively adapted their food economy according to smaller-scale needs and different socio-political conditions.
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This paper focusses on the bird remains from West Stow, a renowned Early Anglo-Saxon site in southeast Britain. Zooarchaeological analyses will include species frequencies, evidence for carcass processing, and biometry. Ageing and... more
This paper focusses on the bird remains from West Stow, a renowned Early Anglo-Saxon site in southeast Britain. Zooarchaeological analyses will include species frequencies, evidence for carcass processing, and biometry. Ageing and analysis of the medullary bone for sexing will apply to chicken remains. Material from the four Early Anglo-Saxon subphases will be analysed separately, and the whole assemblage will be compared to other data from the region.
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The Roman conquest of Britain caused major economic and cultural changes that affected Iron Age societies throughout the island. Patterns of change are visible already in the pre-Roman late Iron Age, when influences from the Continent... more
The Roman conquest of Britain caused major economic and cultural changes that affected Iron Age societies throughout the island. Patterns of change are visible already in the pre-Roman late Iron Age, when influences from the Continent started spreading to southern Britain. During the Roman period, the chronology, nature and extent of change were determined by settlement function, size and geographical location, with occasional preservation of Iron Age characters.
All these processes are well reflected in the zooarchaeology of the late Iron Age - Roman transition, when cattle exploitation gradually became predominant, in place of sheep herding. Influences on husbandry practices precede the invasion at Owlesbury (Hampshire), with cattle being brought to the site from a wider area and a slight increase in size for this species occurring in the pre-Roman late Iron Age (Minniti et al. 2014; Valenzuela-Lamas et al. in prep.). Changes following the actual conquest are much clearer and more widespread, although more commonly attested in the south-east of the island. A functional settlement hierarchy is established, with producer and consumer sites displaying distinctive evidence; biometrical studies of Heybridge and Colchester (Essex) make this clear, and also suggest that larger breeds were likely to have been imported from the Continent (King 1999; Albarella et al. 2008; Albarella with Pirnie and Viner in prep.). Other late Iron Age and Roman assemblages from central and south-eastern Britain also reveal the improvement of the main domesticates (Rizzetto et al. 2017), while stable isotope analyses suggest cattle were being moved through longer distances (Minniti et al. 2014; Rizzetto and Aiceti in prep.). All such changes resulted from the need to produce a surplus in order to fuel the Roman taxation cycle. Evidence for changes in the west and north of Britain is much weaker, with little livestock improvement and sheep maintaining an important role (Hammon 2011; Aniceti and Rizzetto in prep.). This could have been the result of a combination of cultural, logistical and environmental variables.
This brief review summarises the evidence from published and unpublished studies, providing a broad-brush picture of British animal husbandry before and after the Roman conquest.
All these processes are well reflected in the zooarchaeology of the late Iron Age - Roman transition, when cattle exploitation gradually became predominant, in place of sheep herding. Influences on husbandry practices precede the invasion at Owlesbury (Hampshire), with cattle being brought to the site from a wider area and a slight increase in size for this species occurring in the pre-Roman late Iron Age (Minniti et al. 2014; Valenzuela-Lamas et al. in prep.). Changes following the actual conquest are much clearer and more widespread, although more commonly attested in the south-east of the island. A functional settlement hierarchy is established, with producer and consumer sites displaying distinctive evidence; biometrical studies of Heybridge and Colchester (Essex) make this clear, and also suggest that larger breeds were likely to have been imported from the Continent (King 1999; Albarella et al. 2008; Albarella with Pirnie and Viner in prep.). Other late Iron Age and Roman assemblages from central and south-eastern Britain also reveal the improvement of the main domesticates (Rizzetto et al. 2017), while stable isotope analyses suggest cattle were being moved through longer distances (Minniti et al. 2014; Rizzetto and Aiceti in prep.). All such changes resulted from the need to produce a surplus in order to fuel the Roman taxation cycle. Evidence for changes in the west and north of Britain is much weaker, with little livestock improvement and sheep maintaining an important role (Hammon 2011; Aniceti and Rizzetto in prep.). This could have been the result of a combination of cultural, logistical and environmental variables.
This brief review summarises the evidence from published and unpublished studies, providing a broad-brush picture of British animal husbandry before and after the Roman conquest.
Research Interests: History, Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Post-Roman Britain, Roman Britain, and 15 moreBiometry, Roman Empire, Late Iron Age (Archaeology), Iron Age (Archaeology), Animal Husbandry, Iron Age, Animal Management, Butchery, Sheep, Early Anglo-Saxon Period, Pig Farming, Cattle, Early Anglo-Saxon archaeology, Late Iron Age, and History of Butchery
The sea separating Britain from mainland Europe has often been seen as a physical barrier to past communities, restricting the mobility of people and goods. At the same time, however, it represented a trade route and an actual link... more
The sea separating Britain from mainland Europe has often been seen as a physical barrier to past communities, restricting the mobility of people and goods. At the same time, however, it represented a trade route and an actual link between the island and the Continent. In Roman times, this becomes clear in many respects, cultural, economic and socio-political alike; still, the island nature of Britain did affect the Romanisation of the province. Therefore, any interpretative approach that places Britain’s insularity within its schemes can potentially provide new insights into our understanding of the British past.
The spread of ‘Romanised’ practices of animal exploitation and the persistence of indigenous traditions can be used to evaluate the extent of Britain’s marginality within the Roman world-system. Typical Roman elements of animal food production included a major focus on cattle, as well as an overall standardisation of animal management. The zooarchaeological indicators for such elements, however, suggest a gradual diffusion emanating from the south-east; to some extent, the ‘island effect’ limited and delayed the advance of continental influences. The import of domestic breeds from the mainland has recently been suggested, and reflects a scale of operations which clearly embraced Britain within a wider economic system.
The aim of this research project is to assess and interpret similarities and differences between Britain and the Rhineland in the development of animal management during the post-Roman period. A number of studies on British sites have confirmed that, already by the 5th century, animal management had reverted to a generalised strategy typical of subsistence economies. The comparison between sites from both sides of the Channel will allow identifying the variables which affected early medieval animal exploitation. The practical and cultural implications of Britain’s insularity surely provide food for thought for interpreting the results of this and similar studies.
The spread of ‘Romanised’ practices of animal exploitation and the persistence of indigenous traditions can be used to evaluate the extent of Britain’s marginality within the Roman world-system. Typical Roman elements of animal food production included a major focus on cattle, as well as an overall standardisation of animal management. The zooarchaeological indicators for such elements, however, suggest a gradual diffusion emanating from the south-east; to some extent, the ‘island effect’ limited and delayed the advance of continental influences. The import of domestic breeds from the mainland has recently been suggested, and reflects a scale of operations which clearly embraced Britain within a wider economic system.
The aim of this research project is to assess and interpret similarities and differences between Britain and the Rhineland in the development of animal management during the post-Roman period. A number of studies on British sites have confirmed that, already by the 5th century, animal management had reverted to a generalised strategy typical of subsistence economies. The comparison between sites from both sides of the Channel will allow identifying the variables which affected early medieval animal exploitation. The practical and cultural implications of Britain’s insularity surely provide food for thought for interpreting the results of this and similar studies.
Research Interests: History, Archaeology, Roman History, Zooarchaeology, Post-Roman Britain, and 15 moreRoman Britain, Biometry, Roman Empire, Late Iron Age (Archaeology), Animal Husbandry, Iron Age, Animal Management, Sheep, Early Anglo-Saxon Period, Pig Farming, Cattle, Early Anglo-Saxon archaeology, Late Iron Age, History of Butchery, and Roman Archaeology
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The zooarchaeological analyses of a faunal assemblage from Castleford, a Roman military and civilian site in West Yorkshire, are presented and discussed. The fort was in use in the late 1st century AD; a small settlement developed next to... more
The zooarchaeological analyses of a faunal assemblage from Castleford, a Roman military and civilian site in West Yorkshire, are presented and discussed. The fort was in use in the late 1st century AD; a small settlement developed next to the fort and survived into the 4th century.
The assemblage here analysed was recovered from the vicus. The prevalence of cattle and the dearth of pig remains are typical of Roman low-status military sites; similarities and differences between the vicus and the fort are explored in terms of differential access to food resources.
Traits of specialisation become more apparent in the 2nd century, when cattle were consistently exploited for ploughing. Highly standardised patterns of animal exploitation were affected by the needs and preferences of Roman settlers; this is observed elsewhere in Britain and led to widespread changes in the production and distribution of animal products.
The late Roman phase witnesses a return to more generalised husbandry practices. A shift of dietary preferences from beef to mutton is attested by a major focus on sheep. This suggests that indigenous husbandry practices played a major role in this period.
The results are contextualised within the main trends of animal exploitation in Roman Britain.
The assemblage here analysed was recovered from the vicus. The prevalence of cattle and the dearth of pig remains are typical of Roman low-status military sites; similarities and differences between the vicus and the fort are explored in terms of differential access to food resources.
Traits of specialisation become more apparent in the 2nd century, when cattle were consistently exploited for ploughing. Highly standardised patterns of animal exploitation were affected by the needs and preferences of Roman settlers; this is observed elsewhere in Britain and led to widespread changes in the production and distribution of animal products.
The late Roman phase witnesses a return to more generalised husbandry practices. A shift of dietary preferences from beef to mutton is attested by a major focus on sheep. This suggests that indigenous husbandry practices played a major role in this period.
The results are contextualised within the main trends of animal exploitation in Roman Britain.
Research Interests:
The Understanding Zooarchaeology II short course uses short lectures, discussions, case-studies and practical classes so that participants can experience the whole range of knowledge and skills required by the discipline, with the... more
The Understanding Zooarchaeology II short course uses short lectures, discussions, case-studies and practical classes so that participants can experience the whole range of knowledge and skills required by the discipline, with the opportunity to work with an actual faunal assemblage.
The course is directed to students, professionals and enthusiasts who already have a basic knowledge of zooarchaeology. The teaching will be delivered through short lectures and hands-on practical activities.
The course is directed to students, professionals and enthusiasts who already have a basic knowledge of zooarchaeology. The teaching will be delivered through short lectures and hands-on practical activities.
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The Understanding Zooarchaeology I short course uses short lectures, discussions, case-studies and practical classes to provide an insight into the theory and methods that can be used to understand animal remains in archaeology. The... more
The Understanding Zooarchaeology I short course uses short lectures, discussions, case-studies and practical classes to provide an insight into the theory and methods that can be used to understand animal remains in archaeology.
The course is directed to students, professionals and enthusiasts and does not require any previous knowledge. The teaching will be delivered through short lectures and hands-on practical activities.
The course is directed to students, professionals and enthusiasts and does not require any previous knowledge. The teaching will be delivered through short lectures and hands-on practical activities.
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The next PZAF will take place in Palermo (Sicily, Italy) on 27th-29th June 2018. The call for abstracts is now open. For more information: https://www.pzaf.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/pzaf2018/
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This short course introduces and integrates the roles of geoarchaeology, archaeobotany, and zooarchaeology in the reconstruction of past environmental conditions in archaeological contexts.
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Zooarchaeology short course at the University of Sheffield
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This paper focusses on the bird remains from West Stow, a renowned Early Anglo-Saxon site in southeast Britain. The evidence provided by the frequency of species, ageing, sexing, and biometrical analyses has been integrated to investigate... more
This paper focusses on the bird remains from West Stow, a renowned Early Anglo-Saxon site in southeast Britain. The evidence provided by the frequency of species, ageing, sexing, and biometrical analyses has been integrated to investigate changes and continuities in the exploitation of domestic and wild birds at the settlement. Domestic birds dominate the assemblage. The management of chicken probably became more structured and efficient after the first phase of settlement. Intra-site and regional comparisons of biometrical data suggest the improvement in chicken size, achieved under the Romans, was maintained by Early Anglo-Saxon communities.
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This article reviews aspects of the development of animal husbandry in Roman Britain, focusing in particular on the Iron Age/Roman and Roman/early medieval transitions. By analysing the two chronological extremes of the period of Roman... more
This article reviews aspects of the development of animal husbandry in Roman Britain, focusing in particular on the Iron Age/Roman and Roman/early medieval transitions. By analysing the two chronological extremes of the period of Roman influence in Britain we try to identify the core characteristics of Romano-British husbandry by using case studies, in particular from south-eastern Britain, investigated from the perspective of the butchery and morphometric evidence they provide. Our aim is to demonstrate the great dynamism of Romano-British animal husbandry, with substantial changes in livestock management occurring at the beginning, the end, and during the period under study. It is suggested that such changes are the product of interactions between different cultural and social traditions, which can be associated with indigenous and external influences, but also numerous other causes, ranging from ethnic origins to environmental, geographic, political, and economic factors.
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The main aim of this session is to bring together researchers from different archaeological disciplines (such as archaeobotany, palynology, zooarchaeology, geoarchaeology, landscape archaeology, etc.) to explore common patterns and... more
The main aim of this session is to bring together researchers from different archaeological disciplines (such as archaeobotany, palynology, zooarchaeology, geoarchaeology, landscape archaeology, etc.) to explore common patterns and dissimilarities in the ways that rural economies changed or adapted to the new socio-political scenarios as the result of the collapse of the Roman Empire and the formation of medieval economies. We particularly welcome interdisciplinary papers which involve the integration of different scientific methods.
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Please click the hyperlinked words 'LINK' or 'TEAMS' in de attached file to enter the Microsoft Teams Meeting. Workshop organizers: Laura Motta & Frits Heinrich In person location: 10.30 – 12.15 Forum.I.2064, ULB Campus La... more
Please click the hyperlinked words 'LINK' or 'TEAMS' in de attached file to enter the Microsoft Teams Meeting.
Workshop organizers: Laura Motta & Frits Heinrich
In person location: 10.30 – 12.15 Forum.I.2064, ULB Campus La Plaine
13.30 – 16.30 Salle Solvay, Building NO, 5th Floor, ULB
Campus La Plaine
Workshop organizers: Laura Motta & Frits Heinrich
In person location: 10.30 – 12.15 Forum.I.2064, ULB Campus La Plaine
13.30 – 16.30 Salle Solvay, Building NO, 5th Floor, ULB
Campus La Plaine
Research Interests: Climate Change, Stable Isotope Analysis, Archaeobotany, Hydrology, Archaeozoology, and 15 moreFood History, Palynology, Agriculture, Cooking and Food Preparation (archaeology), Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, Italy, GIS and Landscape Archaeology, Roman agriculture, Archaeology of food, Roman food and drink, Archaeology of Northern Italy, Gabii, History of Venice, Roman Archaeology, and Protohistoric Italy
For Microsoft Teams Links and Full program please see the document. Note that each day has a different Teams Link. BrIAS Workshop W08 Long term perspectives on Foodways & Agriculture in North East Africa. On April 5 and 6 2022 both days... more
For Microsoft Teams Links and Full program please see the document. Note that each day has a different Teams Link.
BrIAS Workshop W08 Long term perspectives on Foodways & Agriculture in North East Africa. On April 5 and 6 2022 both days from 13.00 to 17.00 Central European Time
BrIAS Workshop W08 Long term perspectives on Foodways & Agriculture in North East Africa. On April 5 and 6 2022 both days from 13.00 to 17.00 Central European Time