The environmental archaeological evidence from the site of Flixborough (in particular the animal bone assemblage) provides a series of unique insights into Anglo-Saxon life in England during the 8th to 10th centuries. The research reveals detailed evidence for the local and regional environment, many aspects of the local and regional agricultural economy, changing resource exploitation strategies and the extent of possible trade and exchange networks. Perhaps the most important conclusions have been gleaned from the synthesis of these various lines of evidence, viewed in a broader archaeological context. Thus, bioarchaeological data from Flixborough have documented for the first time, in a detailed and systematic way, the significant shift in social and economic aspects of wider Anglo-Saxon life during the 9th century AD., and comment on the possible role of external factors such as the arrival of Scandinavians in the life and development of the settlement. The bioarchaeological evidence from Flixborough is also used to explore the tentative evidence revealed by more traditional archaeological materials for the presence during the 9th century of elements of monastic life. The vast majority of bioarchaeological evidence from Flixborough provides both direct and indirect evidence of the wealth and social standing of some of the inhabitants as well as a plethora of unique information about agricultural and provisioning practices associated with a major Anglo-Saxon estate centre. The environmental archaeological record from Flixborough is without doubt one of the most important datasets of the early medieval period, and one which will provide a key benchmark for future research into many aspects of early medieval archaeology.

• EXCAVATIONS AT FLIXBOROUGH
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• List of Plates
• Appendices–List of Tables
• List of Contributors to the Flixborough Volumes
• Abstract
• Zusammenfassung
• Résumé
• Preface and Acknowledgements
• 1 Introduction and Research Objectives
  • 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.2 Research Objectives
• 2 The Archaeological Background
  • 2.1 Topographical setting and circumstances of discovery
  • 2.2 The Anglo-Saxon occupation sequence
• 3 Chronology, Residuality, Taphonomy and Preservation
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Parameters of interpretation: a chronological framework for analysing the bioarchaeological remains
  • 3.3 Aspects of site formation processes and residuality
  • 3.4 Aspects of taphonomy and preservation
• 4 The Nature of the Bioarchaeological Assemblages
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Recovery
  • 4.3 Vertebrates
  • 4.4 Molluscs
  • 4.5 Plant remains
  • 4.6 The chronological framework
  • 4.7 The hand-collected and dry-sieved assemblages
  • 4.8 The wet-sieved assemblages
• 5 Landscape and Environment
  • 5.1 Introduction
  • 5.2 Palaeohabitats of the Lower Trent: a modern ecological perspective
  • 5.3 Evidence from the bioarchaeological remains
• 6 Patterns of Disposal and Processing
  • 6.1 Introduction
  • 6.2 The disposal of vertebrate remains
  • 6.3 The disposal and deposition of plants and molluscs
  • 6.4 Carcase preparation and disposal
• 7 The Agricultural Economy
  • 7.1 Introduction
  • 7.2 The evidence for arable crops
  • 7.3 Patterns of production and consumption
  • 7.4 Slaughter patterns and Anglo-Saxon husbandry
  • 7.6 The use of bird eggs
  • 7.7 Aspects of husbandry as indicated by non-metrical traits and pathology
• 8 Exploitation of Resources and Procurement Strategies
  • 8.1 Introduction
  • 8.2 Exploitation of the agricultural landscape
  • 8.3 Wildfowling strategies
  • 8.4 The exploitation of marine and freshwater resources
• 9 Evidence for Trade and Contact
  • 9.1 Introduction
  • 9.2 The fish trade
  • 9.3 Indigenous or imported? Evidence from the cattle
  • 9.4 Local or exotic?
  • 9.5 Long-term survival or accidental reintroduction? The case of the black rat
• 10 Zooarchaeological Evidence for the Nature and Character of the Settlement
  • 10.1 Introduction
  • 10.2 Vassals and Vikings: what happened in the ninth century?
  • 10.3 Monks or aristocrats: was Flixborough ever a monastery?
  • 10.4 Recognising wealth and status
• Epilogue
• Appendix 1. Recording Protocol for Mammal and Bird Remains
• Appendix 2. Methodology and Protocol for Sediment Samples, Plants and Molluscs
• Appendix 3. Recording Methods for Fish Remains
• Appendix 4. Detailed Datasets for Fish and Bird Bones
• Bibliography
• Index