Domestic Mammals in Eastern Romania during the Early Middle Ages

Abstract

Mammal remains of the Early Middle Ages in Romania are described in terms of their frequencies (based on the number of identified specimens and minimum number of estimated individuals) and in terms of the morphology and size of the animal consumed. The species discussed are cattle (Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), goat (Capra hircus), pig (Sus domesticus), dog (Canis familiaris), horse (Equus caballus) and donkey (Equus asinus). Wild mammal species are considered as a single group and are not discussed in detail. A summary of previous and recent archaeozoological studies in Eastern Romania shows that sub-regional variation characterizes the assemblages.The paper was based on the study of 17 assemblages from Eastern Romania. Animal husbandry constituted an important occupation during Early Middle Ages in Eastern Romania. More than 95% of the remains represent domestic mammals in the studied assemblages. In all settlements under study, the predominant species are cattle, sheep/goat and pig, both by the number of identified remains and by minimal number of identified individuals.