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Jean-Hervé YVINEC ARCHAEOZOOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE EARLY-MEDIEVAL RURAL SETTLEMENT |
Abstract
The recent study of the Mesnil-Aubry "La croix Verte / La Chapelle" site has provided basic archaeozoological data for each chronological phase. The results emphasize the absence of game and the overwhelming presence of bovines in the diet and in the agro-pastoral system. Also, the analysis of the very high proportion of equidae in different sectors as well as on the site as a whole leads to new hypotheses. Hippophagy was widespread in this part of France and would have maintained a very dynamic level of equine breeding. The motivations of this regional specialization are discussed. Generally, the increasing need of animal labour (for traction and transport) during the Carolingian period indicates that in this area new agropastoral politics were being implemented.
