Archaeozoological Analysis of Bovine Proximal Phalanges from Medieval and Early Modern Wrocław

This study focused on an archaeozoological analysis of the morphology and osteometry of bovine proximal phalanges. The examined material consisted of 446 complete specimens recovered from an archeological site in Wrocław, Poland (St. Vitus and St. Catherine Streets and New Market Square). The assemblage was divided into eight chronological groups spanning the period from the Early Middle Ages to the Modern Era. The archaeozoological investigation included osteometric measurements and an assessment of morphological variation. Observed changes in bone dimensions were interpreted in relation to patterns of animal exploitation, successive stages in the development of proto-urban and urban settlement in Wrocław, and environmental influences. A critical evaluation of the osteometric data demonstrated that the greatest length of the proximal phalanx should not be used as an additional proxy for estimating withers height when complete metapodial bones are absent from an archeological assemblage. Furthermore, computed tomography (CT) analysis revealed the presence of metal alloys within the medullary cavity of several bones, indicating intentional human modification of the material in the past.