Dear All,
I'm interested in stable manure from the point of view of its
invertebrate fauna and (with Allan Hall) its plant markers too. In
respect of this, Allan and I have frequently wondered if there is any
really good evidence for donkeys and mules in Roman Britain, and if so,
what was their abundance in relation to horses. The Roman literature
give the impression of vast numbers of mules having been used as pack
animals.
We have usually been coy and used 'equid' rather than 'horses' when
talking about this delightful material, so common in archaeological
deposits now we can recognise it.
Can any osteologists help with data concerning non-hose equids?
Harry Kenward.
--
Harry Kenward, Director, Environmental Archaeology Unit, Department of
Biology,
University of York, PO Box 373, York YO10 5YW UK. (Tel. 01904 433848/49;
Fax: 01904 433850; email [log in to unmask])
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