Exotic animals in Byzantine capital: Aspects of human animal relationship in faunal remains of Yenikapı-Marmaray excavation

Abstract

Testimonies of Byzantium and foreign visitors endorse the wonders of exotic animals in Constantinople. Exotic animals were paraded in the streets, displayed in court rituals, hunted with emperors and also brought into animal combats in the presence of emperor and empress. Besides the Imperial Park, Byzantines had animal farms where beasts were raised for eventual use in the Hippodrome. Exotic animals were presented to different rulers by Byzantine emperors. At the same time, exotic animal imagery decorated many desires and aspects of the daily life of Byzantine urbanites. Inevitably, exotic animals were highly sought-after objects to Byzantines and, therefore, they were regularly imported from possible furthermost regions to fulfil aspires in the capital.

A large number of faunal remains of exotic species such as Cercopithecidae sp., Cervidae sp., Capra ibex L., Elephantidae sp., Ursidae sp., Gazella gazella L., Vulpes sp., Struthio sp., Bison sp. have been found in Yenikapı Metro and Marmaray rescue excavation along with a huge amount of marine and land fauna. Consumption of these species, including carnivores, is observed besides extensive marks and evidences on these bones. Covering an area of 58,000m2, this excavation area was the Theodosius harbour which was the second largest port in Constantinople. Being a very significant international trade centre and one of the major ports in Empire, remains of exotic animals in Yenikapı examine previous testimonies and show new aspects on human animal relationship in Byzantine time.