The idea of writing a synthesis of animal husbandry in the Roman Dutch River Area arose early in my research project Livestock for sale: the effect of a market economy on rural communities in the Roman frontier zone. At the time, it seemed a good idea, probably because I had no idea of the time and work that would be involved. As it turned out, time ran out in the first project and I needed a second research project in which to finish the manuscript (Sustaining the Empire: farming and food supply in two Roman frontier regions). Over five years later, the work is finally finished. I could not have written this book without the help of a number of colleagues, who I would like to thank here. My zooarchaeological colleagues, especially Joyce van Dijk, Kinie Esser, Frits Laarman and Bill Whittaker, provided primary data and unpublished reports. Sabine Deschler-Erb, Joyce van Dijk, Laura Kooistra and Nico Roymans commented on an earlier version of the manuscript, followed by two anonymous reviewers who also provided useful com- ments. Finally, I would like to thank the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research and the Gerda Henkel Foundation for financing the two research projects that led to this book.

EXTRA TABLES AND ILLUSTRATIONS

The number of tables and illustrations I originally included in the manuscript was too large for a printed book. I therefore selected those that were essential to the text; the others are preceded with an ‘E’ in references in the text, and can be accessed online: http://dx.doi.org/10.17026/dans-zth-dgam