The discussion around meat consumption has been based on"Six Livestock"all along.However,there should be differences between the"Six Livestock"and the"Six Meats"since the Pre-Qin Period.On the basis of redefined standards,this paper explores the possibility of adding the details of meat consumption in the Historical Period by zooarchaeological dates of the Tang and Song Dynasties,combining historic literature.It shows that the combination of pig,sheep/goat,cattle,chicken and aquatic animals began to form since the Tang Dynasty at the latest.Still,regional disparities existed.Mutton was predominant in the north of North China while pork was preferred in Northeast,especially in Central China.
Tang and Song DynastiesAnimal RemainsStandardsMeat Consumption