Hoarda de aur

Animal Food Resources in the Golden Horde Period. Case Study: Old Orhei (Republic of Moldova)
The archaeological level of the Golden Horde period is analyzed, and this assemblage is compared to the level of the
15th —17th centuries in order to account for a diachronical variability of food resources of animal origin on the Old Orhei site.
The study of medieval Old Orhei is mainly focused on the diversity of food resources as refl ected by the archaeozoological
analysis. Previous archaeozoological studies of the medieval period in Old Orhei discussed aspects related to animal species
identifi ed on the site and the proportion of wild and domestic species. The consumers of animal products especially diff ered by
their ethnic belonging. Thus, in the period of Mongol (the Golden Horde) occupation, the main domestic species used in alimentation
were the sheep/goat (Ovis aries/Capra hircus), the cattle (Bos taurus) and the horse (Equus caballus), while later — aſt er Mongol
retreat, the livestock of the local economy was mainly represented by the cattle (Bos taurus) and the pig (Sus domesticus).
The hunting records a very low rate (0.24% NISP) during the Golden Horde period; the low occurrence frequency of wild
animals’ remains in this cultural level is quite surprising, since the documents of the time contain information emphasizing that
the Mongols used to greatly rely on hunting, which was practiced for diff erent purposes: to compensate a food shortage, to secure
furs and hides, to keep fi t for future battles, etc.