This book presents a survey of world archaeology, from the point of view of animal remain studies. It can be considered as a showcase for world zooarchaeology. Forty-eight chapters written by researchers from twenty-five countries discuss archaeological investigations in five different continents. The geographic range covers the Arctic as well as the Tropics, islands and continental land masses, marine shores, forests, hills and mountains. Human interactions with many different creatures – ranging from mammals to birds, fishes and molluscs – are discussed, and in a great variety of ecological and cultural contexts. Methodological approaches are also diverse, as they are chosen according to the themes and research questions discussed in individual chapters. The full range of zooarchaeological methods is on display, but also integration with evidence deriving from sister disciplines, such as history, ethnography, zoology, palaeontology and biochemistry. A methodological glossary helps the reader, particularly the non-specialist, to get a grasp of the multitude of methodological approaches presented in the book. Most aspects of human-animal relationships – from hunting to husbandry, herding, fishing as well as the use of animals in ritual and social contexts – are discussed in one or more chapters, also covering all the greatest human civilizations. As a whole, these investigations authoritatively show the essential role that animals have played in human history. The book is the result of an ambitious project, never previously attempted at such scale; it aims to affirm the centrality of zooarchaeology in our investigation of past humanities.
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