Livestock Management and Animal Resource Use in Roman North Africa: The Zooarchaeological Evidence from Lixus (Larache, Morocco)

Animal husbandry was key to Roman North African economies, yet diachronic zooarchaeological studies in Morocco remain scarce. To address this, we investigate livestock management at Lixus (Morocco) from Late Mauretanian to Late Roman phases. We analyse taxonomic, mortality, and biometric (LSI) data from aggregated faunal assemblages, and compare taxonomic and LSI profiles regionally. Domestic taxa consistently dominate. Cattle remained central, peaking during the High Imperial phase to meet labour and provisioning demands, while pigs rose in the Late Roman period, reflecting a shift toward meat. Internal kill-off patterns show diachronic variation in cattle and caprine management, while LSI biometric data reveal size variations that reflect the shifting economic roles and husbandry focus of each species across periods. Complementary anatomical observations indicate on-site complete carcass processing modulated by bone density and identification limits. Regional comparison highlights marked local variability in taxonomic and biometric choices across Mauretania Tingitana, demonstrating how Lixus’ dynamic terrestrial strategies supported the urban centre and complemented its prominent marine-industrial economy.