Exeter from Fort to City: a faunal perspective

Abstract

This research project investigates Roman, medieval, and post-medieval faunal material from Exeter in the South West of England. This analysis aims to examine variation over time, as well as spatial variation within the city, for example, patterns of food consumption within higher and lower status areas of Exeter, and between secular and monastic communities. To study the variation, a range of analyses were employed, in particular, butchery analysis, fracture patterns, and metrics alongside complementary techniques such as skeletal part abundances, age profiles, and taphonomy. The analyses confirm the broad patterns identified in previous studies by Mark Maltby and Bruce Levitan and achieves a better understanding of the spatial variation and which methods are best suited to differentiate social groups.