Nuevas aportaciones sobre el aprovecha- miento faunístico y vegetal en el Castell de Castalla (Alicante, España) durante los siglos XI-XV

Remains of fauna, charcoal and timber from Castalla Castle (Alicante) have been studied between 2010 and 2016, within the Castalla Castle Heritage Site Social Regeneration Project. Their analysis has helped to better understand the fortification, as well as the exploitation of those resources made by people who lived there during the Middle Ages. In this regard, the faunal assemblage shows the practice of a traditional husbandry model in which herds of goats and sheep are highlighted. Other domestic animals with a less important number, as the pig, complete a panoramic view of the agricultural economy at that time. In terms of hunting resources, red deer was recovered. On the other hand, it has been determined that pinewood was used in those beams located in the Palace. Furthermore, an approached time framework of two beams has been established throughout the radioactive carbon method. Pinewood also appears among the charred timber from other room structures of Taifal Andalusian, Almohad Andalusian and Christian stages (late Middle Ages). The presence of olive and kermes oak has been documented in Almohad occupancy, although kermes oak is also present at Christian stage (late Middle Ages). Finally, this project is a contribution to medieval anthracological and zooarchaeological studies in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in different heritage landmarks of the current province of Alicante –Aljau Castle, Ambra Castle, Mola Castle, Rio Castle, Petrer Castle, Pobla d’Ifac and Rabita of Guardamar–. They are still scarce for these historical periods, but necessary to improve the knowledge that written sources do not always provide.