Archaeologists in The Netherlands have made a rare and intriguing discovery: a floor constructed entirely from animal bones. This unusual find, uncovered during the renovation of a building in the town of Alkmaar, is only the latest example of such a phenomenon in North Holland, with similar floors previously documented in a few other Dutch sites.
The site revealed the remains of an old tiled floor, which initially seemed unremarkable. However, archaeologists noted that in certain areas, missing tiles had been replaced with carefully sawn metacarpal and metatarsal bones from cattle. The bones were arranged in a deliberate pattern, with their tops or sawn-off bottoms facing upward. This unusual flooring style, believed to date back to the 15th century, raises questions about its purpose and construction.
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“We were very happy to have the chance to see this bone floor with our own eyes,” said Nancy de Jong, one of the archaeologists who made the discovery. “It is always a privilege to uncover something from a long-gone era and add new information to the history of Alkmaar.” She added that these bone floors are exceptionally rare and have only been found in North Holland, making this discovery in Alkmaar particularly significant.
The bone floor in a building on the Achterdam, Alkmaar Centrum. Photo: team Archeology, municipality of Alkmaar
Alkmaar’s councillor for heritage, Anjo van de Ven, highlighted the importance of the city’s archaeological work: “Discovering this floor is incredibly interesting. I am therefore happy that our archaeologists regularly get the chance to look along on projects and that companies and residents know where to find them when they are needed. There are still so many hidden stories, waiting for our team of archaeologists to come and find them.”
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The exact period of the floor’s construction remains under investigation. While it could date to the 15th century, researchers believe the current building, constructed around 1609, may have been built atop the original foundation. This layering of structures is common in historical sites, but the bone floor’s precise role remains a mystery. Some suggest it may have been linked to the craftwork practiced at the site, while others speculate it could have been an inexpensive way to fill gaps in the floor.
Further study will focus on determining the extent of the bone floor and whether the bones bear evidence of how the space was used. Archaeologists are also eager to find additional examples of similar flooring elsewhere in the Netherlands, as each new discovery adds to the understanding of this rare historical practice.
Archaeologists in The Netherlands have made a rare and intriguing discovery: a floor constructed entirely from animal bones. This unusual find, uncovered during the renovation of a building in the town of Alkmaar, is only the latest example of such a phenomenon in North Holland, with similar floors previously documented in a few other Dutch sites.
The site revealed the remains of an old tiled floor, which initially seemed unremarkable. However, archaeologists noted that in certain areas, missing tiles had been replaced with carefully sawn metacarpal and metatarsal bones from cattle. The bones were arranged in a deliberate pattern, with their tops or sawn-off bottoms facing upward. This unusual flooring style, believed to date back to the 15th century, raises questions about its purpose and construction.
“We were very happy to have the chance to see this bone floor with our own eyes,” said Nancy de Jong, one of the archaeologists who made the discovery. “It is always a privilege to uncover something from a long-gone era and add new information to the history of Alkmaar.” She added that these bone floors are exceptionally rare and have only been found in North Holland, making this discovery in Alkmaar particularly significant.
Alkmaar’s councillor for heritage, Anjo van de Ven, highlighted the importance of the city’s archaeological work: “Discovering this floor is incredibly interesting. I am therefore happy that our archaeologists regularly get the chance to look along on projects and that companies and residents know where to find them when they are needed. There are still so many hidden stories, waiting for our team of archaeologists to come and find them.”
The exact period of the floor’s construction remains under investigation. While it could date to the 15th century, researchers believe the current building, constructed around 1609, may have been built atop the original foundation. This layering of structures is common in historical sites, but the bone floor’s precise role remains a mystery. Some suggest it may have been linked to the craftwork practiced at the site, while others speculate it could have been an inexpensive way to fill gaps in the floor.
Further study will focus on determining the extent of the bone floor and whether the bones bear evidence of how the space was used. Archaeologists are also eager to find additional examples of similar flooring elsewhere in the Netherlands, as each new discovery adds to the understanding of this rare historical practice.
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