"BONE PAVEMENTS" IN ANCIENT RUSSIAN TOWNS: "ANATOMY" OF ONE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RIDDLE

The origin of huge accumulations of cattle bones found in ancient towns of northern Russia and interpreted in archaeological literature of the mid-20th century as an infill of swampy ground used in construction of wooden pavements is discussed. The results of the archaeozoological research of two collections of faunal bones from the excavations in the Yaroslav's Courtyard in Velikii Novgorod (2008) and in the territory of Novyi Torg (New Trade-yard) in Pskov (2011) are presented. The collections are composed of accumulations extending horizontally and associated with wooden pavements. The taxonomic composition of the accumulations turned out to be typical of ancient Russian towns but in the osteological spectrum cattle prevails (96%). The anatomic composition of the remains is specific parts of heads with almost no muscle layer account for up to 80%. Such fragments can be left in butcher's shops after specialized butchering for selling meat on bones. The author argues that these bones could accumulate directly in the territory of the meat trade-yard, where they were first cooked to make broth in special locations called "kharchevny" ("eateries") and then used as densifying infill under wooden pavements to improve the territory of trade squares.