Animal Bones from an Industrial Quarter at Malbork, Poland: Towards an Ecology of a Castle Built in Prussia by the Teutonic Order

Archaeological analysis of animal bones from Malbork Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest fortified brick structure built by the Teutonic Order in Prussia, reveals significant insights into the castle's ecological impact on its hinterland. The study highlights how the castle's expansion between 1270s and 1457, alongside subsequent modifications during Polish, Prussian, and German occupations, strained local animal resources. By examining bone remains from an industrial quarter, researchers reconstructed the diversity of animal management practices and product processing within the castle, shedding light on the complex provisioning networks required to sustain such a large structure. This approach combines written historical sources with archaeological evidence, offering a unique perspective on the long-term ecological consequences of medieval fortress construction.

(Ed.). (2016). Animal Bones from an Industrial Quarter at Malbork, Poland: Towards an Ecology of a Castle Built in Prussia by the Teutonic Order. Crusades, 203–224. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315271590-10