King of the Birds! The changing role of white-tailed (Haliaeetus albicilla) and golden-eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Britain’s past

Bones of white-tailed and golden eagles from 58 British archaeological sites occupied from the Mesolithic to medieval periods are considered in terms of their various and changing roles, using zooarchaeological, contextual, documentary and ethnographic sources. Evidence is presented that implies the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archaeofauna
Main Author: Holmes, Matilda
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:Spanish
Published: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid 2018
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.uam.es/archaeofauna/article/view/archaeofauna2018.27.007
Description
Summary:Bones of white-tailed and golden eagles from 58 British archaeological sites occupied from the Mesolithic to medieval periods are considered in terms of their various and changing roles, using zooarchaeological, contextual, documentary and ethnographic sources. Evidence is presented that implies the changing cultural and social importance of these birds such as their exploitation by coastal populations, as Bronze Age talismans, targets for Iron Age and Roman feather collectors, and exhibition within medieval mews. The relationships between eagles and humans are also considered based on long-standing, recurring and cross-cultural perceptions. El trabajo valora restos de Águila Real y Pigargo de 58 yacimientos arqueológicos británicos que cubren desde el Mesolítico a época medieval desde la perspectiva de los variados y cambiantes roles de estos animales utilizando fuentes zooarqueológicas, contextuales, docu- mentarias y etnográficas. Se presenta evidencia que revela la cambiante importancia cultural y social de ambas aves. Ello incluye su explotación por parte de las poblaciones costeras como talismanes en la Edad del Bronce por sus plumas en la Edad del Hierro y romana y como an- imales de exhibición en las ferias medievales. Las relaciones entre las águilas y los humanos se valoran también sobre la base de percepciones recurrentes y duraderas a través de distintas culturas.