Archaeologists Discover Mysterious Floor Made Of Bones In Alkmaar, Netherlands

Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com - During archaeological research and renovation of a building on Achterdam in the center of Alkmaar, in the Netherlands, municipal archaeologists discovered remains of an old tiled floor made from animal bones. This discovery is considered very rare and unique to North Holland.

Alkmaar. Credit: S.Möller - Public Domain

Historically, these types of floors have been discovered in Hoorn, Enkhuizen, and Edam, and now they have also been identified in Alkmaar. In Hoorn, a similar pattern is observed, where vertically placed bones are combined with a tiled floor. These floors typically date back to the 15th century. This raises an intriguing question about whether this architectural feature was more commonly seen throughout the Netherlands during that period.

The exact period when this floor was laid is still unknown and is currently under investigation. Some suggest it could date back to the 15th century, despite the current house being built around 1609. It’s possible that this house was constructed on the original, older foundation, which was a common practice.

The bone floor in a building on the Achterdam, Alkmaar Centrum. Photo: Team Archaeology, Municipality of Alkmaar.

The bones used are all metacarpal and metatarsal bones of cattle, each precisely sawn off at the same height. They are arranged with either the top or sawn-off bottom facing upwards in each plane. The floor shows significant wear from intensive use, prompting questions about why bones were chosen as material since tiles were not particularly expensive or uncommon at that time. It seems they might have been used to fill holes in the floor for a special reason or possibly as part of a pattern related to a craft practiced there. Alternatively, it could have been an economical filling method.

Credit: Team Archaeology, Municipality of Alkmaar.

Further investigation will aim to determine the extent of this bone-tiled floor and whether these materials reveal insights into its usage. Researchers are also interested in finding other examples of similar floors for comparative analysis.

See also: More Archaeology News

“We were thrilled to see this bone floor with our own eyes. It's always a privilege to uncover something from a bygone era and add new information to the history of Alkmaar,” archaeologist Nancy de Jong said in a press release.

“Discovering this floor is incredibly interesting. I am thrilled that our archaeologists regularly have the chance to participate in projects and that companies and residents know how to reach them when needed. Many hidden stories remain preserved, waiting for our team of archaeologists to uncover them. I am always excited when they call me with an update on a find. What cool things have they discovered now? I wonder,” Councillor for Heritage Anjo van de Ven said.

Written by Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com Staff Writer