THE VERTEBRATE REMAINS FROM SCOLE-DICKLEBURGH, EXCAVATED IN 1993 (NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK), A140 AND A143 ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Author(s): Polydora Baker
The faunal assemblage from the Romano-British "small town" of Scole Dickleburgh, located on the Norfolk-Suffolk border, includes a total of c.3284 identified vertebrate remains from Early-Mid Roman (1st-late3rdc. AD) and Late Roman (4thc.AD) contexts. In comparison, few identifications were recorded for prehistoric and post-Roman contexts. Most of the remains are from cattle and sheep while pig, equid and goat are less common. A few dog and cat specimens were identified also. The ratios of the main stock show little variation throughout Roman occupation (cattle c.56-57%; caprines c.32-35%; pig c.9-11%) and intrasite variation is probably due to excavation and recovery strategies rather than socio-economic factors. Kill-off patterns of cattle and pig show little variation but caprine mortality profiles suggest that a shift occurred, from meat production in the Early-Mid Roman period to a broader range of uses in the Late Roman period. Age profiles from north and south of the river also show some variation, in the Early-Mid Roman period, which may be status related, with inhabitants closer to the town centre consuming better quality meat. Element distributions show that live animals or whole carcasses were brought to the settlement. Large scale processing was not evident although heavily butchered scapulae were present in various deposits. The Scole sheep and cattle rivalled the largest of known sizes at other Roman sites, suggesting that stockraising at Scole followed the trend of size increase observed across Roman Britain. The metric analysis reveals an increase in some sheep measurements and a possible change in the shape of cattle from the Early-Mid to Late Roman periods. Hunting, fishing and fowling were not important subsistence activities but antler from hunted animals and shed racks was used. The find of a fallow deer antler, dated by C14 to the 3rd-6thc.AD, is of exceptional interest, given the scarcity of pre-Norman finds in Britain.
- Report Number:
- 29/1998
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 113
- Keywords:
- Animal Bone Animal Remains
