Zooarchaeological studies undertaken several years ago indicated little change in cattle body size in southern Portugal before the 15th century AD. Subsequent analysis of several animal bone assemblages from cities of the Roman province Lusitânia (south-western part of the Iberian Peninsula) showed increase in cattle size during Roman times. These cities include present-day Mérida (Emerita Augusta), ancient Ammaia (both founded in the 1st century BC) and Lisbon (Olissipo). This last was a very important urban centre in Roman times, but its occupation began much earlier, in the Palaeolithic. Here we consider measurements of cattle bones recovered from excavations in these Roman cities and compare them with results from smaller towns and from other previous and subsequent periods. The measurements of cattle bones reveal some signs of size increase (and subsequently improvement) during the Roman occupation, which are more apparent in the newly founded Roman cities. Preliminary results of ancient DNA studies indicate a continuity through time of maternal lineages, supporting the hypothesis of local improvement. Forthcoming genomic analyses should provide more detailed information on the introduction of new breeding stock and modes of improvement.

Peer reviewed