Elements of Zooarchaeology

Brief description: The aim of the practical classes is to make students familiar with methods of identification, description and analysis of animal remains coming from settlements and cemeteries of different archaeological cultures. Students will also be provided with information on possible interpretations of results of the analysis of assemblages found in different archaeological contexts.

The main aim of the classes is to present the possibilities of using animal bone remains from archaeological sites as a source of information about animal economy, meat consumption and rituals concerning animals in the past. During practical classes students will be provided with information concerning methods of identification, description and analysis of animal remains coming from settlements and cemeteries of different archaeological cultures. Students will also be provided with information on possible interpretations of results of the analysis of assemblages found in different archaeological contexts.

Students are also familiarised with methods of identification of osteological material and basic procedures used to describe the features of animals. Students acquire the skills using the comparative collection assembled in the Zooarchaeology Classroom and on the basis of publications covering the procedures

Binford L. R., Bones. Ancient Man and Modern Myth, New York, 1981

Driesch A., A Guide to the Measurement of Animal Bone from Archaeological Sites, Peabody Museum Biulletins 1, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University 1976

France D. L., Human and Nonhuman Bone Identification, A Color Atlas, CRC Tylor & Francis Group, 2009

Gifford-Gonzalez D., An Introduction to Zooarchaeology, Springer, 2018

Reitz E.J., Wing E, S., Zooarchaeology, Cambridge 2008

Schmid E., Atlas of Animals Bones for Prehistorians, Archaeologist and Quaternary Geologist, Amsterdam-London-New York, Elsevier Publishing Company, 1972

Students are familiarized with methods of identification of osteological material and basic procedures used to describe the features of animals. Students acquire the skills using the comparative collection assembled in the Lab and on the basis of publications covering the procedures.

During the classes students are trained in the following skills:

- zoological and anatomical identification of European livestock and wild animal bone remains;

- establishing the age and sex of animals;

- establishing the morphotype of animals;

- identifying pathological bone changes;

- identifying taphonomic (biostratinomic and diagenetic) marks on bones and their origin.

Students will be able to use the comparative collection and didactic materials, such as keys for identification of remains of different animal taxa to work on animal bone remains excavated from the archaeological sites.

Assessment criteria:

Credits will be awarded on the basis of practical test which will involve individual identification and description of a small assemblage of animal bones and teeth.