The exploitation of animals in Roman Britain.

Concentrating mainly on the zooarchaeological data, this chapter reviews the evidence for the exploitation of animals in Roman Britain. The review focuses initially on domestic mammals and their exploitation, with particular attention being paid to the species that contributed the most to the diet—cattle, pig, and sheep. This discussion is followed by a shorter summary of the evidence for the exploitation of other mammals, birds, and fish. The relative importance of the different species for their meat and other commodities is outlined, and reasons for variations in species abundance, mortality patterns, butchery methods, and the stature of domestic stock are discussed. Chronological, regional, settlement, and cultural factors all need to be taken into account when considering the complexities of human–animal relationships in Roman Britain

Commercial archaeology, zooarchaeology and the study of Romano-British towns

This chapter will review the contribution that commercial zooarchaeology has made in advancing our knowledge of the exploitation of animals in Romano-British towns. It will highlight studies on sites excavated after 1990 but will also incorporate analyses that were carried out on assemblages from earlier excavations that were rescue- rather than research-orientated. It will first summarise the information available from the various towns involved and then discuss some of the major trends that have emerged from such studies. It will conclude with a critical evaluation of the impact of commercial zooarchaeology

Horseflesh and beaver pelts: aspects of faunal studies in Medieval Novgorod and its region

Abstract: Excavations in the medieval trading centre of Novgorod (NW Russia) have shown that horseflesh was consumed quite frequently and that horses were stabled in urban properties. Their carcasses were commonly utilized for the manufacture of skates and leather. Beaver meat was sometimes consumed in the town although their much greater importance as providers of pelts is not evidenced in the zooarchaeological evidence from Novgorod. Evidence can be found on sites deep within the forest zone of its expansive territory

Integrating zooarchaeology into studies of Roman Britain and Medieval Russia.

This volume and supporting papers constitute the submission for an award of a PhD research degree by publication. Eleven works completed by the author within the last 15 years (eight published; three in press) have been submitted for consideration. All the papers are concerned with animal exploitation in late prehistoric and Roman Britain and/or Medieval north-west Russia. To put these submissions into context, Chapter 2 summarizes the author’s academic career and the history of the research projects with which he has been involved. The next two chapters provide summaries and critically evaluative comments concerning the submitted works. Chapter 3 discusses the works concerned with the exploitation of animals and their products in the late Iron Age and Roman periods in Britain. Chapter 4 considers papers principally concerned with the exploitation of animals within the Medieval town and territory of Novgorod in north-west Russia. Chapter 5 presents an evaluation of the contribution the submitted works have made to furthering knowledge, not only of the specific periods and regions involved, but also more generally to the development of urban zooarchaeology (including comparisons between urban and rural faunal assemblages), the study of carcass processing, and the integration of zooarchaeology into general research questions