King of the Birds! The changing role of white-tailed (Haliaeetus albicilla) and golden-eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Britain’s past
Keywords:
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, GOLDEN EAGLE, ZOOARCHAEOLOGY, BRITAINAbstract
Bones of white-tailed and golden eagles from 58 British archaeological sites occupied from the Mesolithic to medieval periods are considered in terms of their various and changing roles, using zooarchaeological, contextual, documentary and ethnographic sources. Evidence is presented that implies the changing cultural and social importance of these birds such as their exploitation by coastal populations, as Bronze Age talismans, targets for Iron Age and Roman feather collectors, and exhibition within medieval mews. The relationships between eagles and humans are also considered based on long-standing, recurring and cross-cultural perceptions.
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