archaeobears.bsky.social
Follow for info on human-bear interactions, from the ice ages to the present day. Home to #BoxOfficeBears news. #archaeology #history
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I’m told this is a visit from Hallie Sellasse.
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I don't know of a bear carving, but markings on a bear bone may be the earliest known example of Neanderthal art.
www.livescience.com/archaeology/...
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5) large numbers of horse bones were found at the sites. They had extensive age-related pathologies and very worn teeth. Most likely knackered horses imported to Bankside (Southwark) as dog and bear food.
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2) the dogs were huge! They stood c.60-80 cm high at the shoulder - equivalent to a modern large German Shepherd to Great Dane in size.
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We examined animal bones from multiple sites in Southwark, London using a variety of techniques including zooarchaeology - species, age, size, injuries and stable isotopes - diet. We found that:
1) the dogs were largely 2-3 years of age, with no evidence of puppies (but few sites were sieved).
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Our @ukri.org AHRC-funded project draws together archaeological and archival info to learn more about the #earlymodern ‘sport’ of bear baiting where dogs were set on bears for human entertainment. 🏺🧪
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That’s a good thought. It’s certainly possible.
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The bones were excavated by MOLA, PCA and AOC and are curated by MOLA and the Museum of London. We’re hugely grateful for their help and support, especially during covid-times.
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Ta, I’ll fix that!
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This research required collaboration between lots of specialists and archives. Zooarchaeology was led by @lizziewright20.bsky.social and archival research by @callanjd.bsky.social. Isotope analysis was performed @uonclassarch.bsky.social and @britgeosurvey.bsky.social .
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9) using all the above evidence we developed a model for identifying bear-baiting assemblages, for sites without such a rich archival record as Bankside. We look forward to seeing it explored!
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8) the faunal composition from the playhouse sites was very different to that of the baiting arenas. They had more domestic food animals and fewer dogs and horses.
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7) we know from archival work and the archaeological remains that these excavations uncovered the sites of @roseplayhouse.bsky.social and @shakespearesglobe.bsky.social plus 4 different baiting arenas - Payne’s Standings, Bear Garden 3a, The Hope and Davies dating c.1540-1680
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6) the horse bones had been gnawed by carnivores, and so had the bear and dog bones. Conclusion: after death the animals were fed to one another. Stable isotope data (C and N) confirmed that dogs and bears had very similar diets.
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5) large numbers of horse bones were found at the sites. They had extensive age-related pathologies and very worn teeth. Most likely knackered horses imported to Bankside (Southwark) as dog and bear food.
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4) both the dogs and bears exhibited injuries, but many were healed. Fracture healing times suggest the dogs were surviving for at least 6 weeks post injury and probably more.
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3) the bears were all over 4 years of age, suggesting cubs were not used in baiting (or at least did not die until they were older). If they were not being baited - where were they? Maybe dancing or on stage?
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2) the dogs were huge! They stood c.60-80 cm high at the shoulder - equivalent to a modern large German Shepherd to Great Dane in size.
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We examined animal bones from multiple sites in Southwark, London using a variety of techniques including zooarchaeology - species, age, size, injuries and stable isotopes - diet. We found that:
1) the dogs were largely 2-3 years of age, with no evidence of puppies (but few sites were sieved).
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Our @ukri.org AHRC-funded project draws together archaeological and archival info to learn more about the #earlymodern ‘sport’ of bear baiting where dogs were set on bears for human entertainment. 🏺🧪
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This is the entrance to it! And here in context too – it's still there. That is amazing, seems so foreign now but it's fascinating to me
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Ooh, no I don’t know about that one. I love a good menagerie story. There were bears everywhere in England - probably the exotic animal people were most familiar with from the medieval period onwards. Looking forward to finding out more about your bear-pit!
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Yes, you must! Editing my book proof this week I enjoyed anew the bit I've done about menageries in big houses – Wentworth Woodhouse still has a (now-disused!) bearpit and had had a bear-keeper until frighteningly recently, which I find both amazing and baffling