THE SAXON, MEDIEVAL AND POST-MEDIEVAL MAMMAL AND BIRD BONES EXCAVATED 1989-91 FROM CASTLE MALL, NORWICH, NORFOLK
Author(s): Umberto Albarella, M Beech, J Mulville
A large assemblage of mammal and bird bone from Castle Mall (Norwich) derives from six periods that range from the 9th to 18th century AD. Most belong to cattle, sheep, pig and domestic fowl. Beef was the main meat consumed in all periods, with pork an important second in the early periods and mutton later. Meat supply to the town derived from three main sources: animals bred on site, animals brought in on the hoof, and dressed carcasses purchased at market. The local breeding of cattle and sheep may have died out in post-medieval times, whereas pigs continued to be reared within the town. The practise of stock rearing within the town suggests that, at least in Saxon and medieval times, open areas were available and that the town was a mixture of rural and urban environments. Most bones derive from butchery and kitchen refuse, but many are from crafts and industries such as bone-, horn-, antler-, and leather-working. The bones indicate a variability in the quality of diet which is typical of towns. No evidence of high status activity such as royal banquets could be found in periods 2 and 3 when the castle was most active. The presence of two 17th century parrot bones indicates trade with distant countries. An increase in animal size and morphological changes are found in post-medieval and, in some cases, late medieval levels. These changes are related to the Agricultural Revolution and indicate stock improvement. A difference in kill-off patterns in later periods attests to a change in use. Cattle, which had mainly been used for traction throughout the Middle Ages, became more important for meat. Sheep remained extremely important for wool production, but their size increase after the 16th century suggests increased importance of mutton. An early increase in domestic fowl size represents an original contribution that the Castle Mall assemblage provides to the debate on the beginning of the Agricultural Revolution.
- Report Number:
- 72/1997
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 230
- Keywords:
- Animal Bone Animal Remains Bird Bone
