When Synanthropic Birds Appeared in Medieval Novgorod the Great and Tver (Russia): Historical and Zooarchaeological Accounts

This study investigates the historical synanthropization of birds in medieval Novgorod and Tver (10th–15th centuries) through archaeological analysis of bird bones, revealing patterns of urban adaptation amid preservation challenges. Despite the poor recovery of avian remains, which biases assemblages due to postdepositional degradation, findings highlight early synanthropic integration: corvids (ravens, hooded crows, rooks, and jackdaws) and pigeons (Columba livia) emerged as key urban adapters. Extreme synurbanists like feral pigeons and Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus) were documented by the 13th century, while magpies (Pica pica) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) showed later medieval colonization. Challenges in distinguishing true synanthropes from seasonal visitors (e.g., raptor prey) underscore methodological complexities, compounded by the absence of references in medieval texts. The study emphasizes the early role of human-modified landscapes in shaping avian ecology and calls for advanced techniques to refine interpretations of urban bird remains in archaeological contexts.