Ancient Thracians Ate Dogs 2,500 Years Ago—Not Out of Necessity

Archaeological discoveries in Bulgaria suggest that dog meat was consumed approximately 2,500 years ago, and not solely out of necessity. Evidence indicates this practice wasn’t driven by a lack of other protein sources.

A Tradition of Feasting

Zooarchaeologist Stella Nikolova, of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, explains that “dog meat was not a necessity eaten out of poverty, as these sites are rich in livestock, which was the main source of protein.” Her study, published in December in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, points to dog meat consumption being “associated with some tradition involving communal feasting.”

The Thracians and Their Diet

During the Iron Age (fifth to first centuries B.C.), the Thracians inhabited the region now known as Bulgaria. Considered “uncivilized and warlike” by the Greeks and Romans, Thrace later became a province of the Roman Empire in the mid-first century A.D. Historical accounts suggest the Thracians, like the Greeks, also ate dog meat.

Evidence from Archaeological Sites

Nikolova examined skeletons and existing data from 10 Iron Age archaeological sites across Bulgaria. The dogs discovered at these sites were generally medium in size, comparable to modern German shepherds, with medium-sized snouts and medium-to-large withers heights.

However, the presence of numerous cut marks on the bones indicates they were not treated as companions. “It is most probable they were kept as guard dogs, as the sites have a lot of livestock,” Nikolova stated. “I don’t believe they were viewed as pets in the modern sense.”

Butchery Patterns at Emporion Pistiros

At Emporion Pistiros, an Iron Age trade center, archaeologists unearthed over 80,000 animal bones, with dogs comprising 2% of the total. A detailed analysis by Nikolova revealed that nearly 20% of the dog bones exhibited butchery marks made by metal tools. Additionally, two lower dog jaws showed signs of burning, potentially from removing hair and fur before cooking.

The cut marks on the dog bones mirrored those found on sheep and cattle, indicating a consistent butchering method across different animal species.

A Wider Mediterranean Practice

Nikolova’s investigation of several Bulgarian archaeological sites, along with findings from Greece and Romania, suggests that consuming dog meat wasn’t exclusive to Ancient Thrace. She concludes that it was “a somewhat regular practice that was carried out in the 1st millennium BC in the North-East Mediterranean.”

Nikolova intends to continue her research at Emporion Pistiros as part of the Corpus Animalium Thracicorum project. She hopes to determine if attitudes toward dogs changed over time, potentially leading to their exclusion from the diet, noting that later periods show intact dogs being buried at the site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What evidence suggests dogs were eaten in ancient Bulgaria?

Cut marks on canine skeletons found at 10 Iron Age archaeological sites throughout Bulgaria indicate that dogs were butchered for meat.

Were the Thracians forced to eat dog meat due to a lack of other food sources?

No, Stella Nikolova’s research indicates that livestock was plentiful, and dog meat consumption was not a necessity, but rather linked to traditions and communal feasting.

Did the practice of eating dog meat extend beyond Thrace?

Yes, evidence of dog meat consumption has been found at archaeological sites in Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, suggesting it was a practice across the North-East Mediterranean during the 1st millennium BC.

Considering these findings, what does this reveal about the complex relationship between humans and animals in ancient societies?