The human-dog relationship in early medieval England and Ireland (c. AD 400-1250)
This thesis aims to explore the human-dog relationship in early medieval England and Ireland (c. AD 400-1250) and so develop an improved understanding of how people perceived and utilised their dogs. In 1974, Ralph Harcourt published a seminal paper reviewing the metrical data for archaeological dog remains excavated from British antiquity. Nearly forty years on, many more dog bones have been excavated and recorded. His results from the Anglo-Saxon period illustrated that the degree of skeletal variability had reduced after the end of the Roman occupation, with an increase in the average size. He also observed two distinct groups in the estimated shoulder height measurements. The key areas that have been considered include: dog functionality, morphology, and treatment. Influences that may have led to changes in peopleâs perception of dogs during this time period have been examined. Differences between England and Ireland are assessed, but variation in recording methods has meant the data obtained on the Irish dogs were limited. An interdisciplinary approach has been taken, combining archaeological, historical and anthrozoological information. New evidence has shown that humansâ relationships with dogs
Grieve, Amanda
CC Archaeology
The human-dog relationship in early medieval England and Ireland (c. AD 400-1250). This thesis aims to explore the human-dog relationship in early medieval England and Ireland (c. AD 400-1250) and so develop an improved understanding of how people perceived and utilised their dogs. In 1974, Ralph Harcourt published a seminal paper reviewing the metrical data for archaeological dog remains excavated from British antiquity. Nearly forty years on, many more dog bones have been excavated and recorded. His results from the Anglo-Saxon period illustrated that the degree of skeletal variability had reduced after the end of the Roman occupation, with an increase in the average size. He also observed two distinct groups in the estimated shoulder height measurements. The key areas that have been considered include: dog functionality, morphology, and treatment. Influences that may have led to changes in peopleâs perception of dogs during this time period have been examined. Differences between England and Ireland are assessed, but variation in recording methods has meant the data obtained on the Irish dogs were limited. An interdisciplinary approach has been taken, combining archaeological, historical and anthrozoological information. New evidence has shown that humansâ relationships with dogs
human dog relationship early_medieval england ireland aim_explore human dog relationship early_medieval england ireland develop improved people perceive utilised dog publish seminal paper review metrical data archaeological dog remain excavated british antiquity many dog bone excavate record anglo_saxon_period illustrate degree skeletal variability reduce end roman_occupation increase average size also_observe two_distinct group estimate shoulder height measurement key_area consider include dog functionality morphology treatment may_lead change people perception time_period examine differences england ireland assess variation record method mean data_obtain irish dog limit interdisciplinary take combine archaeological_historical information new_evidence show human relationship dog