Cattle husbandry in the Iron Age and Roman Netherlands: chronological developments and regional differences in cattle frequencies, management, size and shape

Abstract Cattle are the dominant species in most archaeological sites in the Netherlands during the Iron Age and Roman period. However, there are differences in the relative importance of cattle and in how cattle were managed. The aim of this paper is to find out which changes in cattle husbandry occurred between the Iron Age and Roman period, and whether these changes are related to introduced Roman practices. For this study, the Netherlands was divided into four regions, of which the northern region lies outside the Roman Empire. This allows a comparison of regions within and outside the Roman Empire and the potential identification of differential economic developments. First, we looked at diachronic changes and regional differences in the relative proportion of cattle compared to the other main domestic species. Second, data on slaughter ages were used to draw conclusions about the main product cattle were kept for: milk, meat or traction. Next, biometric data were used to investigate sex ratios of cattle, which – combined with mortality profiles – inform about management practices. Finally, biometric data were analysed using the log size index method to trace diachronic changes and regional differences in cattle size. A size increase and the growing role of cattle for traction and as meat providers in towns is also seen in other parts of the northwestern provinces. These changes can directly be related to the Roman occupation and the demand for meat and other animal products.