middenzool

Middenzool is an interdisciplinary field focused on the study of animal remains recovered from middens, which are dumps of domestic waste associated with historical and prehistoric human settlements. The goal is to understand past human–animal relationships, subsistence strategies, and environmental conditions by analyzing faunal assemblages found in midden contexts. The term is used primarily within archaeology and zooarchaeology, and in some literature it is treated as a sub-discipline or specialized approach within midden studies.

Typical methods in middenzoological research include careful excavation and spatial documentation of assemblages, taxonomic identification to species, and estimation of age and sex classes. Quantification uses metrics such as the number of identified specimens (NISP) and the minimum number of individuals (MNI). Taphonomic analysis assesses butchery marks, digestion damage, burning, gnawing, and fragmentation to interpret processing and deposition. Researchers also compare midden faunas with other zooarchaeological data, examine seasonality indicators, and, when possible, apply isotopic analyses to infer diet and mobility. Radiocarbon dating contextualizes remains within site chronology.

Applications of middenzoology include reconstructing dietary patterns, domestication processes, hunting and provisioning strategies, and trade in animals or animal products. The field can illuminate responses to environmental changes and contribute to broader understandings of past economies and lifeways. Middenzoological work also helps clarify site formation processes and refuse disposal practices. Challenges include differential preservation and recovery biases, fragmentary assemblages, and potential biases in historical recordkeeping. As a result, the approach emphasizes rigorous taphonomic interpretation and transparent documentation to integrate faunal data with wider archaeological narratives.