Evidence of Cat (Felis catus) Fur Exploitation in Medieval Iberia

L Lloveras,J Nadal,E Orri,S Segura,F Florensa,A Garcia,R Thomas,E Medina

doi:10.1002/oa.2600

L Lloveras, J Nadal + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.2600

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Abstract

AbstractWhilst the bones of domestic cats (Felis catus) are recovered from archaeological sites in Iberia routinely, they are rarely subjected to detailed analysis. Consequently, there is limited understanding of the nature of cat–human relations, especially in contrast to northern European regions. In this paper, we present a unique assemblage of 899 cat bones recovered from the medieval site of El Bordellet (Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain) and dated between the end of the 10th century ad and the beginning of the 11th century ad. Zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis provides the first clear evidence of skinning related to cat fur exploitation in Christian medieval Iberia. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Highlights

Following their domestication, probably in the Middle East during the Neolithic (Davis, 1987; Driscoll et al, 2007; Vigne and Guilaine, 2004; Vigne et al, 2004), domesticated cats (Felis catus) spread across Europe, arriving in northernmost regions as trade networks became established during the Roman occupation (Bökönyi, 1974; Bobis 2000; De Grossi, 1997; Gautier, 1990)
Skeletal element abundance was evaluated using the Number of Identified Specimens Present (NISP), Minimum Number of Elements (MNE) and Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) as well as their relative frequencies (Grayson, 1984)
The domestic cat remains identified at medieval El Bordellet were intentionally deposited as complete individuals, as evidenced by the fact that the bones were preserved in their original anatomical position

Summary

Introduction

Probably in the Middle East during the Neolithic (Davis, 1987; Driscoll et al, 2007; Vigne and Guilaine, 2004; Vigne et al, 2004), domesticated cats (Felis catus) spread across Europe, arriving in northernmost regions as trade networks became established during the Roman occupation (Bökönyi, 1974; Bobis 2000; De Grossi, 1997; Gautier, 1990). While the bones of domestic cats are recovered regularly from Roman sites in the Iberian Peninsula, they may have been first introduced into the region by Phoenician traders (Driesch, 1973; Lignereux et al, 2000). The behaviour of cats is unique amongst domesticated animals, varying markedly according to the degree of socialisation they experience as kittens, evoking complex and often contradictory human responses and projections. Cats have been exploited for their capacity to catch rodents, ‘farmed’ for fur, used in medicine, persecuted as pests and familiars, kept as companion animals and revered as deities Depending on their colour (and where in the world they are encountered), they can be bringers of either good or bad luck (Bobis, 2000; Metzler, 2009)

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