Archaeologists Find Site Made of Bones

A few hundred years ago, someone in the Netherlands decided that the best way to fill the gaps in the floor was not with tiles, but with bones.

Archaeologists in the city of Alkmaar in the Netherlands have found a very interesting site made of animal bones. This need, announced on December 13 wordsthey have only been recorded in the North Holland region, mostly in the 15th century.

“We were very happy to have the opportunity to see this bone with our own eyes. It is always an opportunity to uncover something old and add something new to the history of Alkmaar,” said Nancy de Jong, archaeologist of the city of Alkmaar.

The bones are parts of the cow’s metacarpals and metatarsals (foot bones), and they are all cut the same way. Even though the floor was cracked, archaeologists were able to identify some type of bone. Specifically, the bones were placed at an angle, with the sloping ends or checks facing upwards.

Archaeologists have seen this before, having already found similar bones in the ground at Hoorn, Enkhuizen, and Edam, with the bottom of Hoorn showing a similar pattern. Experts are now wondering if this could be a common way of under 15th or design in the Netherlands.

Archaeologists have yet to find the recently excavated bone. The similar building was built in the early 17th century, but that doesn’t mean the floor is from the same century. In fact, it was not uncommon for new buildings to be built on top of old foundations, according to archaeologists, meaning that the floor may have remained as far back as the 1500s, such as many examples of bone floors.

Perhaps more interesting than the date is the question because one may choose to fill the holes under them with bones. Tiles were not expensive at the time, archaeologists explained, so there was no obvious financial benefit to using bones. Perhaps, then, they mean to fill, not as tiles. The team also decided that the format would make sense based on the type of technology being developed there.

“There are many hidden stories that have been preserved, waiting for our team of archaeologists to come and find them,” said Anjo van de Ven, Alkmaar’s municipal representative for heritage. “I am always happy when they call me and tell me what they have found. What will they get now? – I think.”

In the end, the mystery behind the bones continues, but hopefully not for much longer as archaeologists continue to investigate their findings. Meanwhile, the whole world has found a new way to stay grounded.