Archaeologists in the Netherlands have made a peculiar discovery: a floor constructed from animal bones within a 16th-century building located in Alkmaar's red-light district, Achterdam. The find, announced by Heritage Alkmaar, an archaeological organization, has intrigued experts. While the house itself dates back to around 1609, the bone floor is suspected to be part of an earlier foundation, possibly from the 15th century.
The organization expressed surprise at the discovery, noting that while old floors are common, finding one made of bones is unusual. The bones, identified as cattle bones, filled gaps where tiles were missing. Similar bone floors have previously been discovered in other North Holland cities like Hoorn, Enkhuizen, and Edam, but they remain a rare occurrence.
Adding to the mystery, the bones were cut to a uniform height and arranged in distinct patterns. While seemingly used as filler, the deliberate arrangement suggests a more intentional design. Archaeologist Nancy de Jong expressed excitement about the find, highlighting the privilege of uncovering historical remnants and enriching Alkmaar's history.
