A floor partially covered with “boards” made of cow bones was discovered during the renovation of a townhouse in Alkmaar, Holland.
The metacarpal and metatarsal bones of cattle were used to replace lost or damaged ceramic tiles, a mysterious and rare practice identified only in the province of Noord-Holland in the Netherlands.
All the bones were cut at the same height and placed in a specific pattern: in one plane, the bones were oriented with the upper side up, and in another plane, with the cut lower side facing up.
The reason for using animal bones in the floor remains unknown. Archaeologists suggest that these bones may have been selected for a specific reason, possibly related to the commercial activities or other occupations carried out in the building at the time. However, it is equally likely that the bones were used as a cheap solution to fill the spaces where the ceramic tiles were missing.
“The floorboards have deteriorated from heavy use, and the bones may have been placed there for practical or symbolic reasons,” De Jong explained. “These could reflect a connection to the craft practiced in that space or represent an economical method of finishing the floor.”
The building on Achterdam was built in 1609, but floors of this type are generally dated to the 15th century. Archaeologists assume that it could be the foundation of an older structure, preserved when the new building was erected. The floor is still being excavated; the team hopes to discover its original dimensions and learn more about how it was used. The researchers will also analyze the bones and tiles to determine exactly when the floor was laid.
