LEICESTER, THE SHIRES 1988 EXCAVATIONS THE ANIMAL BONES FROM THE POST-MEDIEVAL DEPOSITS AT LITTLE LANE
Author(s): L J Gidney
Two large quarry pits produced interesting and contrasting assemblages of animal bones which appear to derive primarily from human food refuse. In F3 the range of species present and the relative proportions of the domestic animals, with sheep/goat outnumbering cattle, are similar to the later medieval phases and suggest continuity within the sixteenth century. The bones found in F12 suggest a considerable change by the seventeenth century with cattle bones outnumbering those of sheep/goat. Fewer bird species are represented and cat remains are less common. The differences between F3 and F12 are most apparent in the cattle bones where the emphasis changes from the forelimb in F3 to the hindlimb in F12. The proportion of young calves increases in F12 which may indicate growing specialisation in dairying and veal production by the seventeenth century. This industry could have been located within the town. The method of sub-sampling the large quantities of bones recovered from F3 and F12 appears to have adequately demonstrated the different nature of the contents and shown that study of this period is very rewarding.
- Report Number:
- 24/1992
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 98
- Keywords:
- Animal Bone Animal Remains Bird Bone
