Cow Skeleton – Medieval / History

The skeleton of a cow was discovered in the Old Town of Słupsk during archaeological excavations in 2004. It is a unique find.

The bones show no traces of butchery or skinning of the carcass, nor are there any indications that the animal was killed by the human hand. It can be assumed that the cow died of natural causes. Although it may seem small, it is the skeleton of a full-sized adult, quite standard for Medieval cattle, and is known as a short-horn cow (Bos taurus brachyceros).

Such cows measured an average of approximately 104 cm around the withers, the total span was between 90 and 118 cm. They were bred and used for many years by the settlers of the lowlands in the basin of the Oder and Vistula rivers in antiquity. Cattle was bred for meat, tallow, skins, bones, and manure. Cows and steers (castrated bulls) were important as they were harnessed for agriculture and were used to transport goods and people. Cows did not produce much milk due to their small body size. It is assumed that the live weight of short-horned cattle was between 150 – 300 kg.

Cow skeleton – medieval

a unique find