Centuries-old floor patched with sliced bones discovered in the Netherlands

Livescience - Dec 18th, 2024

During a building renovation in Alkmaar, Netherlands, archaeologists discovered a centuries-old tile floor filled with cow bones, specifically metatarsals and metacarpals. The discovery, made in the city's red-light district, has puzzled researchers as tiles were not expensive at the time, raising questions about the purpose of using bones. Similar bone floors have been found in other Dutch port towns and dated to the 15th century. Alkmaar, known for its cheese market dating back to 1365, may hold clues related to its cheesemaking history, though this connection remains speculative. An investigation is underway to understand the extent and purpose of the 'floor of bones.'

Archaeology Netherlands Historical Discovery Alkmaar Bone Floor

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.4

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides an intriguing account of an archaeological discovery in the Netherlands, with a generally clear and factual narrative. However, it could benefit from more detailed sourcing and a broader range of perspectives.

Accuracy

The article appears accurate based on the information provided, but it relies heavily on a translated statement from the municipality of Alkmaar. It does not cite additional sources or external validations of the claims made.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of the archaeologists and officials involved in the discovery. It would benefit from additional viewpoints or interpretations from other experts in the field.

Clarity

The article is clearly written and easy to understand, with a logical structure. It effectively conveys the main points without using emotive language.

Source quality

The primary source is a translated statement from the municipality, which may be reliable but lacks the authority of independent expert opinion or peer-reviewed research. There are no additional sources cited.

Transparency

The article provides some context about the discovery and its historical significance but lacks detailed disclosure about the potential biases or motivations of the involved parties, like the municipality or archaeologists.