Alba Regia. Annales Musei Stephani Regis. – Alba Regia. Az István Király Múzeum Évkönyve. 20. 1980 – Szent István Király Múzeum közleményei: C sorozat (1983)
Tanulmányok – Abhandlungen - Bartosiewicz László: Animal remains from a Medieval cess-pool. p. 169–180.
These skeletal elements of fish however, show only that the inhabitants of the site took adventage of the surrounding waters and fish played some role in the diet. Three bird species are represented in the bone material from the Medieval cess-pool. The remains of domestic fowl dominate this part of the sample. 37 bone fragments from at least nine individuals, mainly adults, were found. Many of the bones were complete and therefore measurable. This way we can compare some (nonsignificant) mean values to results obtained using larger bone samples. Table IV shows a comparison between wing bones from two medieval periods in Hungary. The comparison is quantified using the Czekanowski similarity formula which shows that the bones found at Székesfehérvár are the largest of the three groups, but more similar to the average size in hens of the Period of the Árpád Dynasty. The less numerous remains of subadult chicken confirm the obvious fact that these birds were exploited for their meat as well as eggs. The next species, goose, is represented by six bone specimens. The size of bones (22 06 01, 22 06 02) suggest that they come from a domestic animal.( 4 ) Based on comparisons (Woelfle 1967) two tarsometatarsals and a phalanx from the same species were identified, which do not belong to the more important meat producing parts of these animals. It is very likely however, that these goose bones are the remains of meals. Almost all bones from these two species come from separate individuals (specimen number % minimal number of individuals), which indicates something about eating habits as well. The third species represented in this class is jackdaw. The bones from this species suggest different conclusions from fowl. First, although it is difficult to prove all the eleven bones appear to come from one individual. In addition to the close metric correspondence between the pairs of long bones (23 08 01, 23 08 02, 23 11 01, 23 11 02), logical argument also supports this possibility. Jackdaw is a wild bird without a great deal of meat on it. Aside from jackdaw only remains of domestic birds were identified although efforts were made to separate out Phasianidae by comparison (Ebersdobler 1968). Even if jackdaw was eaten, it is unlikely that eleven disarticulated bones from such sized birds represented a significant proportion of the diet especially if they are compared to the 37 bones from domestic fowl. The assumption that the remains of only one jackdaw are present in the material as well as the lack of butchering marks lead to the conclusion that the bird might have been a pet. Ethnographic analogies show that Corvidae are often tamed. On the other hand, the custom of crow eating is also known, which may explain the additional occurrence of two right radii from larger Corvidae (23 07 01,23 07 02). The majority of mammalian remains found in the cesspool belong to domestic species. Only three of the 162 identifiable bones came from wild mammals. (4) Thanks are due to Dr. Dénes Jánossy who kindly pointed out this difference and provided further help in the identification of jackdaw remains (23 01 01 — 23 06 01 and 23 08 01, 23 10 01 — 23 12 01). Listed first, in taxonomic order come the cat bones. Like jackdaw its remains include the complete long bones, scapula, and pelvis fragments (31 05 01 — 31 18 01). The lack of butchering marks confirms the suspicion that this animal might also have been a pet fallen or thrown into the cess-pool. Although modern examples of eating cat are known in Europe, no historical references have yet been found suggesting that this custom existed at that time. The second species is probably that of dog. The single bone possibly coming from a medium size dog is the very fragmented shaft of a humerus (32 11 01). Unfortunetely, this bone was identified using negative evidence, that is, the exclusion of the other species found at the site( 5 ) It is however, very difficult to explain the presence of a single fragmented bone specimen in this material from this species. The conclusion that it may be a piece of kitchen rubbish strongly contradicts our knowledge that aside from sporadic isolated examples (Simoons 1961) dog has not been eaten in Europe since classical times (JONES 1931). Pig is the species represented by the fewest remains among the bones of domestic animals important in meat production. In addition, four of the 14 bones are ribs which were not identified by special morphological characteristics but by size alone. Pigs were undoubtedly eaten and the food remains thrown into the cess-pool. Very typically for meat purpose animals subadult, and juvenile individuals are also consumed as can be seen in bones 33 08 01 — 33 16 01 as well. This tendency certainly expresses gastronomic preferences at this historical site. The bone remains of ruminants are most frequent in the cess-pool. Two mandibula fragments from roe deer are the only sure indications that wild animals were eaten in the site. Meat parts belonging to this bone (tongue, masseter muscle) might easily be popular delicacies. One fragment of a centrotarsal (35 17 01) may come from red deer. The remains of sheep or goat were most numerous in the cess-pool. The distinction between the two species is particularly difficult in a heavily fragmented material. In some cases however, sheep could be identified as for example in the case of the single worked bone in the material (36 18 01). This preform is a 35.2 mms. long fragment of a metatarsal diaphysis carefully cut to length. It has been fire treated and marks of additional unfinished cutting attempts may be seen on the ventrolateral part of the bone.( 6 ) It is difficult to know what the intended function of this bone was. All the other bones (36 01 01 — 36 18 01) show fragmentation or butchering reflecting meat consumption. The ratio of bones from subadult individuals is also high as with pig, suggesting similar preferences for young meat. The last species found in the bone material of the cesspool was cattle. The number of specimens was 21 including (5) I would like to acknowledge the help of Dr. Sándor В ö к ö n у i in identifying bones 3517 01, 3611 02, 3616 02, 32 11 01, 33 16 01, as well as his cogent criticism of the faunal list itself. (6) Thanks are due to Ms. Alice M. С h о у к е for her consultation on this piece as well as for her help in the English correction. 171
