Livestock management in Spain from Roman to post-medieval times: a biometrical analysis of cattle, sheep/goat and pig

The aim of this paper is to present the results of the biometrical analysis carried out on cattle, sheep/goat and pig measurements from a number of Spanish archaeological sites, dated between Roman and post-medieval times. The results show that important transformations occurred in livestock management, as it is visible through various changes in the body size of the main domesticates. The Romans had a great interest in improving1cattle breeds,2 while during the Middle Ages most effort was put in improving sheep breeds. The size of the three taxa decreased after Roman times, reaching their minimum size between the 8th and 9th centuries, probably in association with changes in livestock management, including free-range keeping and non-selective breeding.