King of the Birds! The changing role of white-tailed (Haliaeetus albicilla) and golden-eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Britain's past

Abstract

The work assesses remains of the Royal Eagle and Pigargo from 58 British archaeological sites that cover from the Mesolithic to medieval times from the perspective of the varied and changing roles of these animals using zooarchaeological, contextual, documentary and ethnographic sources. Evidence is presented that reveals the changing cultural and social importance of both birds. This includes exploitation by the coastal populations as talismans in the Bronze Age for their feathers in the Iron and Roman Age and as display animals in medieval fairs. Relations between eagles and humans are also valued on the basis of recurrent and lasting perceptions across different cultures.