Animal management in the Medieval Banat: faunal remains from the settlement at the Pančevo – Livade site (Serbia)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the faunal remains analysis from the medieval settlement of the Pančevo – Livade site, discontinuously occupied between the 8th and the 13th centuries. The animal remains represent food leftovers as indicated by the butchering marks and mortality profiles. Apart from mammalian remains, which are the most numerous, bird, micromammal, and mollusc remains are also present. Animal husbandry was of great significance to the economy, although not highly developed – domestic animal breeds were small and primitive. During the earlier phase of the settlement (8– 9th centuries), domestic pig was the main source of meat, with cattle, sheep, goats, and horses herded as well. During the later phase of the settlement (10th– 11th centuries), cattle were the most important among the domestic species. Pig continued to be the main source of meat, while the secondary products of cattle, sheep, and goats gained greater significance. Hunting played a somewhat more significant role in the economy of the later phase, as indicated by a greater number of hunted wild species – boar, red deer, and mallard.

Keywords

• hunting
• faunal remains
• medieval settlement
• banat
• economy
• animal husbandry