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PloS one2014; 9(3); e89273; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089273

Medieval horse stable; the results of multi proxy interdisciplinary research.

Abstract: A multi proxy approach was applied in the reconstruction of the architecture of Medieval horse stable architecture, the maintenance practices associated with that structure as well as horse alimentation at the beginning of 13th century in Central Europe. Finally, an interpretation of the local vegetation structure along Morava River, Czech Republic is presented. The investigated stable experienced two construction phases. The infill was well preserved and its composition reflects maintenance practices. The uppermost part of the infill was composed of fresh stabling, which accumulated within a few months at the end of summer. Horses from different backgrounds were kept in the stable and this is reflected in the results of isotope analyses. Horses were fed meadow grasses as well as woody vegetation, millet, oat, and less commonly hemp, wheat and rye. Three possible explanations of stable usage are suggested. The stable was probably used on a temporary basis for horses of workers employed at the castle, courier horses and horses used in battle.
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Publication Date: 2014-03-26 PubMed ID: 24670874PubMed Central: PMC3966733DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089273Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study sought to reconstruct the architecture of Medieval horse stables, understand maintenance practices, and analyze horse alimentation in the 13th-century Central Europe through an interdisciplinary approach. It also interpreted the local vegetation structure along the Morava River in the Czech Republic. The results depict a picture of how horses were cared for, what they were fed, and the potential usage of the stables.

Reconstruction of stable architecture

  • The researchers utilized a multi-proxy approach to reconstruct the architecture of the horse stables. This involved using multiple lines of evidence including archaeology, architecture, and botany.
  • They discovered that the studied stable went through two different construction phases.

Insights into maintenance practices

  • The study found the stable’s infill was well-preserved, providing insight into historical stable maintenance practices.
  • The composition of the infill was indicative of how the stables were cleaned and maintained. The top layer consisted of fresh stabling, which showed that it had accumulated within a few summer months.

Understanding horse diet

  • The research used isotope analysis to understand the diet of the horses. This involves analysing the presence of specific isotopes that result from different types of food in the horses’ systems.
  • The diet of horses included meadow grasses, woody vegetation, millet, oat and sporadically hemp, wheat and rye. This indicates the variety of feed available and potentially the difference in feed based on the purpose of the horse.

Interpretation of local Vegetation

  • The study also analyzed local vegetation along the Morava River, shedding light on the natural environment during the period.
  • The different types of feed for horses were likely drawn from this local vegetation.

Inferences on stable usage

  • The researchers suggest three potential uses for the stable based on the data.
  • The stable was potentially used temporarily for horses of workers at the castle, for courier horses, and for horses used in battle. This illustrates the various roles that horses played during the Medieval period.

Cite This Article

APA
Dejmal M, Lisá L, Fišáková Nývltová M, Bajer A, Petr L, Kočár P, Kočárová R, Nejman L, Rybníček M, Sůvová Z, Culp R, Vavrčík H. (2014). Medieval horse stable; the results of multi proxy interdisciplinary research. PLoS One, 9(3), e89273. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0089273

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Pages: e89273
PII: e89273

Researcher Affiliations

Dejmal, Miroslav
  • Archaia Brno, o. p. s., Brno, Czech Republic.
Lisá, Lenka
  • Institute of Geology AS CR, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic.
Fišáková Nývltová, Miriam
  • Institute of Archaeology of AS CR in Brno, v. v. i., Brno, Czech Republic.
Bajer, Aleš
  • Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
Petr, Libor
  • Institute of Geology AS CR, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Archaeology, University of Western Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Kočár, Petr
  • Department of Archaeology, University of Western Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Kočárová, Romana
  • Department of Archaeology, University of Western Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Nejman, Ladislav
  • Centre for Applied Isotope Studies, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America.
Rybníček, Michal
  • Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
Sůvová, Zdenka
  • Department of Archaeology, University of Western Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Culp, Randy
  • School of Social Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
Vavrčík, Hanuš
  • Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Archaeology
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Czech Republic
  • Ecosystem
  • Geography
  • Geologic Sediments
  • Hair / metabolism
  • History, Medieval
  • Horses
  • Housing, Animal / history
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Nitrogen Isotopes
  • Pollen
  • Wood / chemistry

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Devos Y, Nicosia C, Vrydaghs L, van der Valk JMA, Speleers L, Marinova E, Court-Picon M, Ball TB, Pümpin C, Doutrelepont H, Claes B. Understanding late medieval farming practices: an interdisciplinary study on byre remains from the historical centre of Brussels (Belgium). Archaeol Anthropol Sci 2025;17(7):154.
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