Feeding the city : zooarchaeological perspectives on urban provisioning and consumption behaviours in post-medieval England (AD1500 - AD1900)
Zooarchaeological enquiry of animals and their products in the post-medieval period has largely been disregarded in British archaeology. Yet, there is multitude of ways in which animals can inform upon the profound social and economic changes that took place during this era. This research reveals how fruitful the study of post-medieval animals can be in improving our understanding of: the meat trade; agricultural economies; urban history; industries; livestock âimprovementâ; urban culture; and food consumption in England. The thesis explores the transformations in the production and consumption of animals and animal products by drawing upon primary and secondary faunal data and historical accounts. Primary investigations of animal bones excavated from Chester were analysed along with secondary faunal data from the city, in order to undertake a detailed zooarchaeological analysis of an urban centre, and to consider the potential challenges of undertaking post-medieval faunal analyses. Zooarchaeological data from urban sites in England were also sourced from grey literature and published reports to conduct a regional review of animal bones from the post-medieval period. These investigations showed that innovations
Gordon, Rebecca Louise
Feeding the city : zooarchaeological perspectives on urban provisioning and consumption behaviours in post-medieval England (AD1500 - AD1900). Zooarchaeological enquiry of animals and their products in the post-medieval period has largely been disregarded in British archaeology. Yet, there is multitude of ways in which animals can inform upon the profound social and economic changes that took place during this era. This research reveals how fruitful the study of post-medieval animals can be in improving our understanding of: the meat trade; agricultural economies; urban history; industries; livestock âimprovementâ; urban culture; and food consumption in England. The thesis explores the transformations in the production and consumption of animals and animal products by drawing upon primary and secondary faunal data and historical accounts. Primary investigations of animal bones excavated from Chester were analysed along with secondary faunal data from the city, in order to undertake a detailed zooarchaeological analysis of an urban centre, and to consider the potential challenges of undertaking post-medieval faunal analyses. Zooarchaeological data from urban sites in England were also sourced from grey literature and published reports to conduct a regional review of animal bones from the post-medieval period. These investigations showed that innovations
feeding city zooarchaeological perspective urban provision consumption behaviours post_medieval england_ad zooarchaeological enquiry animal_product post_medieval_period largely disregard british_archaeology yet multitude way animal inform upon profound social_economic_change take_place era reveals fruitful study post_medieval animal improve meat trade agricultural_economy urban history industry livestock improvement urban culture food_consumption england explores transformation production_consumption animal animal_product draw_upon primary_secondary faunal_data historical_account primary investigation animal_bone excavate chester analyse along secondary faunal_data city order undertake_detailed zooarchaeological_analysis urban_centre consider potential challenge undertake post_medieval faunal_analysis zooarchaeological_data urban_site england also source grey_literature publish_report conduct regional review animal_bone post_medieval_period investigation show innovation