Unearthed bone floor sheds light on Alkmaar's past craftsmanship

In Alkmaar, in northern Holland, archaeologists discovered the remnants of a tiled floor. At first, this might not seem sensational, but part of it was made from animal bones. The discovery occurred during renovation work on a 17th-century building on Achterdam Street.

During their research, archaeologists found that the floor consisted of cattle limb bones filling the spaces between old tiles. The bones were carefully cut to the same height, creating a pattern. Some were arranged vertically, while others were laid flat.

"We were very happy to have the chance to see this bone floor with our own eyes. It is always a privilege to uncover something from a long-gone era and add new information to the history of Alkmaar," said Nancy de Jong, one of the archaeologists, as quoted by arkeonews.net.

Floors made from bones are rare, but this is not the first such discovery in northern Holland. Similar floors were previously uncovered in Hoorn, Enkhuizen, and Edam. In Hoorn, bones were also used in combination with tiles.

It is not yet certain when exactly the floor was created, but it probably dates back to the 15th century. The current building was constructed around 1609, suggesting it might have been built on the foundations of an earlier structure.

Archaeologists will continue their research. According to scientists, the use of animal bones was not related to any black magic practices or specific rituals. Most likely, it was practical and could be related to activities carried out on the farm. - The inclusion of bones could have been a cost-effective solution, or they may have served a purpose related to the trade or activity conducted here, emphasized Nancy de Jong.

The discovery is significant for city heritage officials interested in its historical importance.