Animal-bone records reveal how cattle and sheep fueled medieval England's changing economy

A new study published in PLOS One reveals how the uses of cattle and sheep in medieval England evolved to support shifting economic practices. By analyzing animal-bone records from 460 sites across England spanning from the 4th to 14th centuries, researchers Matilda Holmes and David Orton of the University of Leicester and University of York, respectively, discovered that the population boom and evolving trade networks during this period necessitated changes in how animals were utilized for meat, milk, and arable production.

Initially, cattle were more prevalent than sheep, but by the 7th century, sheep farming gained traction, primarily driven by monastic institutions focused on wool production. By the late medieval period, wool's economic significance had solidified. Between the 10th and 12th centuries, an uptick in the prevalence of older male cattle—paired with deformities in their lower limbs—suggested a shift toward using these animals as draft animals.

This trend waned later, likely due to a growing demand for meat and milk, as well as the increasing role of draft horses. The findings corroborate past observations of the rise of sheep farming and the fluctuating use of draft cattle, while also clarifying the timing of these events. However, numerous questions remain, particularly regarding variations across different archaeological sites and standardizing techniques for discerning the sex of ancient domesticated animals.

The research employed an aoristic method to examine the changes in cattle and sheep usage across a continuous timeline, offering a clearer picture of the transition from cattle-centric to sheep-centered practices in the 7th century, and the peak in draft cattle use for agricultural purposes between the 10th and 12th centuries. This shift was followed by a change in market forces in the 13th and 14th centuries, which required more meat and milk production due to population growth.

The study builds upon the pioneering work of the Feeding Medieval England project by leveraging its data to devise a novel analytical approach. This method not only enhances our understanding of the animal economy over time but also opens avenues for applying similar techniques to other archaeological datasets. The unexpected surge in older cattle during the 10th to 12th centuries underscores a notable change in farming practices, indicating a growing reliance on farmers' close collaboration with their animals, likely valuing their contributions as essential workforce members.

With regard to sheep, the late 7th-century rise in wool production, fueled by burgeoning monastic communities, laid the foundation for the English economy's continued prosperity well into the 16th century. Ultimately, the findings shed light on the intricate interplay between animal husbandry, economic demands, and socio-economic transformations in medieval England.