Poultry in Medieval and Post-medieval Lithuania

Historical data reveals that poultry was a staple protein source for the elite in medieval and post-medieval Lithuania, though its role among the broader population remains less documented. This study sheds light on the scale of poultry consumption—including domesticated birds like chickens, ducks, geese, and wild species such as turkeys and guineafowl—and their significance in dietary hierarchies. By analyzing zooarchaeological and historical records from nine Lithuanian cities spanning the 13th to 20th centuries, researchers uncover insights into poultry supply chains, producer-consumer relationships, and the cultural status of poultry as a high-value food. The findings challenge assumptions about poultry’s exclusivity among elites while providing a rare glimpse into peasant diets through material evidence.

Zagurskytė, A. (2024). Poultry in Medieval and Post-medieval Lithuania. Lietuvos Archeologija, 209–235. https://doi.org/10.33918/25386514-050008