Markers of social differences in Tuscany from the 14thto the 20th century: The villa Medicea of Cafaggiolo(Barberino del Mugello, Florence)

Abstract

In the mid-14th century, the villa of Cafaggiolo became a property of the Medici family. The structure, strategically located on the road connecting Florence to Bologna, was an important economic centre and a place for rest away from city life. Cosimo I promoted the construction of an enclosed hunting reserve near to the villa where rare animals were kept. The villa then passed to the Lorraine family and in 1864 it was acquired by the Borghese Princes.Faunal remains have been recovered from 15th-20th century contexts; however, most remains are dated between the mid-18th century and 1822. In total, 888 fragments were analysed which included mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and marine shells. Cattle, sheep/goat and pig, raised in the surroundings of the villa, were the main source of meat. The presence of young and sub-adult individuals of wild mammals and birds and of marine fauna attests the consumption of high-level food which was sometimes hard to acquire.The study of the Cafaggiolo assemblage provides important information about indicators of social differences in food consumption of the high-status community living in the villa between mid-18th century and 1822.In the mid-14th century, the villa of Cafaggiolo became a property of the Medici family. The structure, strategically located on the road connecting Florence to Bologna, was an important economic centre and a place for rest away from city life. Cosimo I promoted the construction of an enclosed hunting reserve near to the villa where rare animals were kept. The villa then passed to the Lorraine family and in 1864 it was acquired by the Borghese Princes.Faunal remains have been recovered from 15th-20th century contexts; however, most remains are dated between the mid-18th century and 1822. In total, 888 fragments were analysed which included mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and marine shells. Cattle, sheep/goat and pig, raised in the surroundings of the villa, were the main source of meat. The presence of young and sub-adult individuals of wild mammals and birds and of marine fauna attests the consumption of high-level food which was sometimes hard to acquire.The study of the Cafaggiolo assemblage provides important information about indicators of social differences in food consumption of the high-status community living in the villa between mid-18th century and 1822