Osteological remains from the feudal castle Przewłoka (13–14th centuries AD, Poland)

Abstract Representative skeletal collections, consisting of remains of mammals, birds and fishes (total 1704 bones) were obtained during the excavations of the medieval castle Przewloka 1 in 2015. Analysis of these remains and its comparison with collections from other sites have established some common feudal settlements in Poland and the special features of economic activity and the hunting of castle owners in 13–14th centuries. The pig predominates among domestic animals, wild boar and bison — among hunting animals, aurochs are sporadically presented. The proportion of wild birds in relation to domestic ones is not as high as the proportion of remains of hunted to domestic mammals. Cluster analysis of the fish fauna of some medieval settlements in Poland showed that the fauna of the Przewloka castle is part of a group of localities combining fortified cities, monasteries and possessory feudal castles. The diversity of mammals, fish and birds reflects the high social status of the castle owners, and allows reconstructing a medieval landscape of the north-eastern Wielkopolska as well as water bodies near the Przewloka castle.