La gestione dell’animale nell’Alto Medioevo. Ricerche multidisciplinari e nuove prospettive per l’Italia Settentrionale e l’Alto Adriatico.

This research analyzes some faunal samples, dating back to between the 5th and 11th centuries AD, found in stratigraphic excavations in Northern Italy and the North Adriatic Sea. Through zooarchaeological and stable isotope analysis and in consideration of the archaeological context of the origin of the materials, this research investigates the management of the animals in the early postclassic period, an era of important economic, social, and climatic changes. Animal bones from archaeological excavations in three provinces of Northern Italy (Torba, VA- VI-Late VIII century AD; Romano di Lombardia, BG - Early Middle Ages; Ca' Vendramin Calergi, VE - VII-XI century AD.) and one from the North Adriatic area (Rab, Croatia - Late 5th-8th century AD) were analyzed. The data obtained were compared with those of eighteen other sites, the result of a census of the main publications. The objective of this project is to understand the differences and similarities in the exploitation and consumption of animals between the Lombard and Byzantine cultures. Furthermore, considering the discrepancies found between written sources and archaeological data, the topic of meat consumption in the Early Middle Ages was explored in depth through zooarchaeological analysis and new stable isotope analyses (δ13C e δ15N). Finally, during the research period, the role of hunting, fishing, and fishing technologies in general in different types of settlements was investigated, obtaining information on the exploitation of the territory from an economic and social point of view. It emerged that, even though the faunas are composed of the same taxa, there were some differences in the methods of animal exploitation between the Lombard and Byzantine economies if the results are observed based on the type of settlement (urban, fortified, and rural sites). Although stable isotope analyses did in some cases confirm what is indicated in ancient sources regarding the presumed increase in meat consumption by barbarian populations during the Early Middle Ages, often are not reflected in zooarchaeological studies.