Butchering animals is one of civilization's oldest and most respected professions. Guilds were set up during the Middle Ages that specialized in the slaughter and preparation of animals. From using sharpened sticks to modern cleavers, butchers have always fed hungry carnivores
Until recently, it was thought that the first evidence of butchery was found in Holon, a Lower Paleolithic site, located in Israel's southern coastal plains. Here it was established that early hominids knew the art of butchering the choicest cuts of meat with stone tools. This was based on the findings of specialised cuts, chops, and notches found on the bones of animals. This is said to have occurred some 1.5 million years ago. If you think that's a long time ago, think again, as recent research in the Afar region of Ethiopia has unearthed bones of animals, dating back to about 3.4 million years ago, with cut marks that clearly show intention to remove flesh and extract marrow using stone tools. This human species, the Australopithecus, appear to be the pioneers of butchery. The bones were identified as bones of animals that were of the size of a cow and a goat.
Early Man's Butcher Shop
Early Man's Butcher Shop
University of Miami scientists and underwater archaeologists discovered the remains of a butchered giant sloth at a Florida sinkhole. The remains are thought to be about 12,000 years old. An earlier discovery of a sharpened stick and tortoise remains had led them to believe the area was used as a butcher shop for early man.
Butcher Shop in Ancient Rome
In the late 1880s, the Museum of Antiquities in Dresden, Germany, displayed an ancient Roman relief of a butcher shop. The butcher was separating a rack of ribs with a cleaver. In his shop was a three legged chopping table and hooks with dressed meats. Among them were pork joints and favorites of the time like udders and boar's heads.
London Butchers
Butchers honored their craftsmanship and often gathered in Butchers' Halls to sell their meats. The earliest reference was the mention of London's Ward of Farringdon Without in 975 A.D. The Worshipful Company of Butchers started in the 14th century and remains one of the UK's oldest guilds. Smithfield Market, a meat market for over 800 years, once had grassy plains that allowed livestock to be freshly slaughtered.
