Late Antiquity (3-5 century A.D.) Fauna from Building Excavations on Exarch Joseph Street (Sofia City, Bulgaria)

A total of 28 species/taxa of wild and domestic animals have been established through 5378 animal remains in the center of Sofia City. Most common are Bos taurus, Equus ferus caballus, Capra hircus, Ovis aries, Gallus gallus domestica, Canis lupus, Equus asinus, Lepus europaeus. Carnivores are represented by Vulpes vulpes, Canis lupus, Canis familiaris, Felis catus, and Ursus arctos. One species (Bos primigenius) is globally extinct, and one (Grus grus) is extinct and no more breeding in Bulgaria. A review of the subfossil record in Bulgaria of the common crane is given. The cattle were of brachycerous type. Most of domestic chickens were of the bantam size/type. The occurrence of big shells of Ostrea edulis suggests contacts with Aegean coasts.