The impact of trade on animal exploitation in Rome during the Roman period: The evidence from zooarchaeological analysis

Abstract

In this paper some results derived from zooarchaeological studies carried out in Rome are presented and discussed in detail; these provide evidence of the trade and circulation of animals, meat and other animal products to and from the ancient city. Over the past forty years a large number of animal remain assemblages from the urban area of Rome have come to light and have been studied, producing a large amount of information on several aspects of animal consumption and exploitation in ancient times. The discovery of exotic or rare animal species, the change in the frequency of selected body parts of domesticated animals destined to the urban market, and the identification of specific processing methods linked to the circulation of animal products are here discussed in relation to evidence from other resources, in order to outline the nature of animal and animal product trade during the Roman period.