Changes in the exploitation and consumption of seafood vs freshwater resources in medieval and early modern Estonia

This paper focuses on evaluating the changing role of seafood imports in comparison with freshwater resources in medieval and early modern Estonia, based on zooarchaeological material and provenance analyses. A secondary aim was to find evidence of the early stages of practicing aquaculture in Estonia. The work presents the results of taxonomic and morphological analyses of the zooarchaeological material of aquatic animals, including marine and freshwater vertebrates (fish, marine mammals) and invertebrates (shellfish). These results were combined with additional evidence gained from previously published stable isotope data from the bone collagen of fish and marine mammals, allowing us to identify and investigate local and foreign resources among the medieval and early modern fish populations in Estonia. Our results show that herring and cod were the most exploited marine species during this period; however, freshwater species dominated at both coastal and inland sites. Compared to earlier periods, the remains of seals disappear almost completely from the zooarchaeological record, whereas those of oyster shells increase. Stable isotope analyses revealed the diverse habitats of consumed fish: from the Atlantic to the eastern Baltic, and from inland rivers to shallow coastal waters. Not much evidence was found of commonly farmed fish in the Estonian archaeological material

Zooarchaeology of livestock and game in medieval and early modern Estonia

In this article, zooarchaeological evidence from 37 medieval and early modern sites in Estonia were assembled and examined. The analysis of over 69 000 mammal remains gave a comprehensive overview of the production and consumption of animal resources in the 13th to 18th century castles, towns, rural settlements, and one monastery. The focus was on domestic livestock: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses. Cattle remains were most abundant, confirming it as the primary animal resource in the study period. Morphometrical analysis and tooth wear study supported the historical knowledge of a stronger tradition of draught oxen in the north and a possible focus on dairy husbandry in the south. Sheep and goat husbandry also had several purposes: kill-off times indicated lamb consumption and keeping the herd for wool and reproduction. Pigs, on the other hand, were raised only as a food resource. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses revealed differences in grazing areas and feed types between species and geographical regions. Compared to the main livestock, horses and also wild mammals had insignificant roles in providing primary resources but immense importance in manifesting status (horses and hunting) or in use for work and military purposes (horses). Overall, the animal husbandry of the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period developed towards the innovations and improvements of modern times, with native breeds being one example of the heritage of the past

Dietary habits in medieval and early modern Estonia: evidence from stable isotope analysis

New stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses from medieval and early modern sites across Estonia demonstrate systematic differences in the dietary habits of people from various locations and social groups. These results are compared with previously published isotopic data from similar contexts to identify the type and origin of dietary items, specifically in terms of aquatic resource consumption. Distinction between protein sources is, however, complicated by the high degree of isotopic variation among aquatic ecosystems and the fact that resources from multiple habitats were routinely exploited, resulting in a mixing of the isotopic signal. Nitrogen isotopic ratios display variations in the consumption of higher trophic level protein (such as fish), differentiating between rural, urban and elite individuals, as well as between males and females. Carbon isotopic ratios show a clear distinction between humans from coastal and inland sites, likely reflecting the importance of Baltic Sea fish to coastal communities. However, the exact quantification of aquatic resources into the diets of historic period people in the region needs further work

Zooarchaeological evidence for the exploitation of birds in medieval and early modern Estonia (ca 1200–1800)

In this paper, we discuss bird bones from sixteen sites across Estonia, focusing on the Medieval and Early Modern Period (ca 1200â1800). Zooarchaeology, stable isotope analysis and Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectometry (ZooMS) are used to explore how the exploitation of birds has differed between sites of various functions and locations. The results demonstrate the ubiquity of the chicken as the most abundant avian species in most sites and periods under study. The goose and the duck were the second and third most common species identified in the assemblages. Species diversity was highest at castle sites, where the presence of different wild birds can be associated with higher social status; however, the use of several bird species is unlikely to be food-related. The most frequently discovered wild birds were the black grouse and the western capercaillie, which are also known to have been served at feasts. This paper presents the first comprehensive study of Estonian avian zooarchaeological material from various contexts, giving a better overview of the importance of birds to historical communities

Pets or functional animals: dogs and cats in medieval and early modern Estonia

The role of dogs and cats in the history of the human-animal relationship has been variable. They have served as pets, working animals, useful commensals, subjects of worship and sacrifice, and providers of resources, such as skin and meat. These roles have also been more or less visible in Estonian archaeological material. Here, our focus is on the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period (13th to 18th centuries), which was the time of urbanisation and widening contacts as well as wars and famines. During this time of change, also the roles of dogs and cats as companion and commensal species changed. With over 700 specimens from all over Estonia, we aimed to explore the presence of dogs and cats in archaeological material, their keeping conditions, and their economic use. For dogs, essential questions also involved the different (morpho)types and their possible roles. The study confirmed that new dog types emerged in Estonia from the early 13th century. Furthermore, different site types, specifically castle and urban material, contained dogs with significantly diverse sizes, possibly due to their functionality. There is evidence of the economic value of both cats and dogs in the expression of cut marks that could be related to food waste and fur trading. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis confirmed the assumption that dogs mainly ate food scraps and leftovers, including freshwater and marine resources. Documented pathologies were rare, leaving the question of caring for or neglecting these animals open

Multi-isotopic analysis of zooarchaeological material from Estonia (ca. 200–1800 CE): Variation among food webs and geographical regions

To better comprehend the dietary practices of past populations in the Eastern Baltic region we have created temporally and geographically restricted baselines for the time period of 200–1800 CE. In this multi-isotopic analysis, we report new δ13C, δ15N and δ34S values for 251 faunal bone collagen samples from various archaeological contexts in Estonia representing the most comprehensive set of Iron Age, Medieval and Early Modern Period faunal stable isotope values to date. The results map out the local carbon and nitrogen baselines and define isotopic ranges of local terrestrial, avian and aquatic fauna. We also demonstrate the potential application of sulfur stable isotope analysis in archaeological research. The results demonstrate a clear distinction between δ13C and δ34S values of marine and terrestrial species, however, freshwater fish display notable overlaps with both marine and terrestrial ranges for both δ13C and δ34S values. Herbivores show variation in δ34S values when grouped by region, explained by differences in the local biotopes. This study is the first attempt to connect the Eastern Baltic isotopic baselines and provides more detailed temporal and geographical references to study the local ecologies and interpret the human data

Dataset on stable isotope measurements of Estonian medieval and early modern human bones

Andmekogu sisaldab Eesti kesk- ja varauusaegsetest inimluudest tehtud stabiilsete isotoopide analüüsi tulemusi. Andmestik koosneb ühest tabelifailist, mis sisaldab tulemusi ja andmete koondstatistikat, ning ühest analüüsi aruandest, mis kirjeldab metoodikat. Andmed on kogutud Tallinna Ülikoolis ajaperioodil 2019-2022 osana projektist PRG29.This dataset contains stable isotope measurements analysed from Estonian medieval and early modern human bones. The dataset consists of one spreadsheet file and one text file (report). Spreadsheet file contains the results of the analysis and summary statistics. Text file consists of methodological description. It is being made public to act as supplementary data for publication. These data were collected and compiled at Tallinn University during the period of 2019-2022 as part of the project PRG29

Dataset on zooarchaeological records of Estonian medieval and early modern mammal remains

This dataset contains data collected during the analyses of archaeological mammal remains from 37 medieval and early modern sites in Estonia. The dataset consists of four tables: 1) information on archaeological sites, 2) identifications, 3) cattle metacarpal morphometrics, 4) stable isotope data. It is being made public both to act as supplementary data for the research project PRG29 and for the publication Rannamäe, E. & Aguraiuja-Lätti, Ü. 2023. Zooarchaeology of livestock and game in medieval and early modern Estonia. Estonian Journal of Archaeology, 27, 3S, 50–82, https://doi.org/10.3176/arch.2023.3S.03