The Significance of Animals to the Early Medieval Frisians in the Northern Coastal Area of the Netherlands: Archaeozoological, Iconographic, Historical and Literary Evidence

Abstract

A taxonomy of animals as used by the early medieval inhabitants of the northern coastal area of the Netherlands, the so-called terpen region, is formulated on the basis of archaeozoological data from settlement sites and cemeteries, iconographic evidence in the form of 'animal' brooches, and historical and literary evidence. The archaeological and historical evidence sheds light on the economic roles of animals, the former on their symbolic roles as well. Iconographic and literary evidence mainly provides information on imaginary animals figuring in narrative, mythology and heroic imagery.