A bone-chilling discovery during a building renovation in Alkmaar, Netherlands, has sent ripples of excitement through the archaeological community. Workers renovating an early 17th-century building in the city’s red-light district unearthed a centuries-old tile floor with a peculiar feature: it’s partly filled with sawed-off cow bones. Specifically, the bones are metatarsals and metacarpals—the bones that in cows form part of the lower leg and ankle. This unusual flooring material has left archaeologists puzzled, sparking a wave of intrigue and research.
The discovery was made during routine renovations, highlighting the unexpected historical treasures that can be found even in the most ordinary locations. The city’s archaeologist, Nancy de Jong, expressed her elation at the find, stating it was a privilege to uncover such a unique piece of Alkmaar’s history. The worn tile floor, showing signs of intense use, indicates the floor has a long and significant history, leaving researchers eager to uncover its secrets. The gap in the floor, filled with these carefully placed cow bones, has prompted many questions, as tiles were not an expensive material during the time. Why use animal bones to fill the gap?
Similar bone floors have been discovered in other Dutch port towns like Hoorn, Enkhuizen, and Edam, dating back to the 15th century. However, the exact age of the Alkmaar floor remains undetermined. This discovery lends itself to comparative analysis with these earlier finds, potentially helping researchers date the Alkmaar floor and understand its construction methods. The prevalent use of cow bones raises intriguing questions regarding the building’s function and the cultural significance of this unusual construction technique during this period.
Alkmaar’s rich history, particularly its renowned cheese market dating back to at least 1365, adds another layer to the mystery. The city flourished in the 17th century, exporting millions of pounds of cheese across Europe and beyond. This raises the intriguing possibility of a connection between the abundance of cow bones and the city’s famous cheesemaking industry, although no direct link has been established yet. The research team is also investigating whether the use of cow bones was linked to any specific business operating in the building at the time.
The discovery in Alkmaar has captivated the attention of the media and the public, who are eagerly awaiting further investigation and insights. Local councillor Anjo van de Ven aptly described the discovery as “incredibly interesting,” highlighting the continued potential for historical revelations in the city. The ongoing investigation promises to uncover more hidden stories, with the archaeological team working diligently to determine the extent of the bone floor and its practical and symbolic purpose. This discovery is a reminder of the wealth of historical information that lies buried beneath our feet, awaiting discovery and providing new insights into past lives and practices. The ongoing excavation and analysis will undoubtedly shed more light on this intriguing mystery, adding another fascinating chapter to Alkmaar’s storied past. Stay tuned for further updates as archaeologists delve deeper into the secrets of this bone-filled floor.
