Animal breeding

Man cannot live by bread alone!

The wild boar

People also obtained food by breeding animals, which gave them as well skins or wool or made their work in fields easier. Domestication of wild animals has changed the way of life of animals and their size as well! From the skeletons discovered we find out that animals got smaller as a result of domestication. Medieval domestic pigs, for example, which were already long before tamed and accustomed to people, still reminded of small wild boars rather than present-day pink podgy pigs.

Do you know which animals have been bred in prehistoric times?

The Slavic harpoon

According to the bones found we can find out which animals have been bred by our ancestors. Most widespread were cows and bulls, pigs, sheep, goats and horses. At Chotěbuz even the skeleton of a cow in calf was discovered. Most frequent birds bred were geese and ducks. The prehistoric diet naturally also comprised fish, whose presence is indicated by the harpoons and fishnets found.

Do you know, how long dog has already been the best friend of man?

The greyhound

For about 14,000 years already, dog is the best companion and protector of man. The same also was the case with the hillfort at Chotěbuz. In the place where was once the residence of the ruler, archaeologists found a bone which they exactly identified as Polish Greyhound. This dog breed was very rare on our territory in the 9th century, but it was quite popular with the Varangians (Vikings) who conducted lively trade on the well-known Amber Road. The ruler from Chotěbuz may thus have bought the greyhound as a luxurious jewel of his pack or he may have obtained the dog as a gift. Would you like such a gift?