Subsistence Practices of the Population at the Yeniseysk Town in the 17th – 19th Centuries (based on osteological materials from the Balandin mansion)

Abstract

The paper describes the bone animal remains from the excavations of the mansion of Balandins merchants, which reflect the economic culture of the Russian population of the Yeniseisk in the 17th – 19th centuries. The analysis of species composition and ratio of animal remains were carried out, and methods for cutting and utilization of domestic animal carcasses were described. It is shown that maintenance of livestock and poultry was the basis of the economy among the population of Yeniseisk. Cattle played the leading role for the town population. Significantly less the population bred pigs and chickens, as well as keep (or bought) goats and sheep. Hunting and fishing took place, but did not play a large role in the life of the population. Roe deer was the main game animal in the vicinity of the town. The owners of the mansion hunted boron game and waterfowl. Siberian sturgeon, nelma and taimen were the main objects of fishing in the population of Yeniseisk.

Keywords

• archaeology
• siberia
• middle ages
• russian population
• domestic animals
• game activity