Corbino, C.A., Minniti, C., Mazzorin, J.D.G. et al. (1 more author) (2017) The role of chicken in the medieval food system: evidence from Central Italy. Tijdschrift voor Mediterrane Archeologie, 56. ISSN 0922-3312
Abstract
Although domestic fowl is often found at Italian archaeological sites at least from the 6th century BC onwards, it becomes widespread only in the Roman period. Throughout the Middle Ages, chicken played an important role in the Italian food economy as attested by the substantial number of bones of this bird recovered from archaeological contexts. This research is focused on the identification of trends in chicken exploitation that can be linked to production or consumption. The analysis of bone assemblages shows an increase in the frequency of chickens from the 13th century onwards. In urban contexts, which reflect consumption more than production, anatomical parts with a higher meat value are more frequent. Chickens were probably bred at rural sites, as attested by age and sex evidence. From the 9th century onwards, the average size of domestic fowl becomes smaller, probably due to specific market requirements.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © Tijdschrift voor Mediterrane Archeologie 2016. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Sheffield) > Department of Archaeology (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Research Executive Agency FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 20 Dec 2016 15:00 |
Last Modified: | 28 Mar 2018 09:35 |
Published Version: | http://tijdschrift.mediterrane-archeologie.nl/tma5... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Tijdschrift voor Mediterrane Archeologie |
Refereed: | Yes |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:109737 |