Continuity and change in animal exploitation at the transition from Antiquity to the early medieval period in the Belgian and Dutch loess region
Fabienne Pigière|Quentin Goffette
This article studies the evolution of livestock exploitation during late Roman Empire and Merovingian period by highlighting significant progressive changes in husbandry practices that are discernible from archaeozoological data relating to five settlements Belgian Dutch loess region. The intensive cattle for agricultural activities, transport, meat supply consumer sites was progressively abandoned. Pigs grew importance became predominant at all 5th century onwards. Reduction demand powerful draught animals work belt is reflected strong decrease size robusticity 6th century. Kill-off patterns, sex-ratios, pathologies related use traction also point objectives breeding cattle. There a shift mixed milk production addition period. results suggest less land more woodland. An increase recorded end period, particular Meuse valley, coinciding with an production.
Quaternary International