From my Dublin data, the earliest butchering saw marks derive from mid-late 17^th century (occurs one rib and one sheep femur from the same site). Saw marks are more frequent in 18^th and 19^th century deposits. So I would assume that butchers’ saws were rare in the 17^th century and became more popular in the 18^th century. Are there any written contemporary accounts that may help you?

/Lena

From: Rielly, Kevin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 December 2004 16:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ZOOARCH] the butchers saw

Dear all,

I'm interested in finding out when the saw became a butchers implement in this country. Several sites in London have produced bones with saw cuts which are obviously the work of butchers rather than horn workers or bone workers, and all date to the mid to late post medieval period. However, I have recently come across a late 17th century example. What have other people found? Is the 17th century early for this practise in other parts of Britain? Has anybody done any work on this subject?

All the best

Kevin

Kevin Rielly

Archaeozoologist

Museum of London Specialist Services

Tel: 020 7566 9332

Fax: 020 7490 3955

[log in to unmask]

http://www.molss.org.uk

Kevin Rielly
Animal Bone Specialist
Museum of London Specialist Services
Mortimer Wheeler House
46 Eagle Wharf Road
London. N1 7ED
Tel: 020 7566 9332
Fax: 020 7490 3995
Email: [log in to unmask]
www.molss.org.uk

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