zooarchaeological

Zooarchaeology is the study of animal remains from archaeological contexts to understand past human–animal relationships, subsistence strategies, and environmental adaptations. By identifying species, anatomical elements, and states of preservation, researchers reconstruct hunting, herding, domestication, processing, and consumption patterns across time and space.

Remains typically include bones, teeth, shells, and, when present, artefacts associated with animals. Analysts sort material by taxon, assess completeness, and quantify representation using metrics such as the number of identified specimens (NISP) and the minimum number of individuals (MNI). Age-at-death, skeletal trauma, and dental wear contribute to reconstructions of herd structure, seasonality, and exploitation. Butchery marks, marrow extraction, and butchery patterns reveal processing methods and economic decisions.

Zooarchaeologists apply taphonomic analysis to distinguish human-induced modification from natural processes. They integrate methods from related sciences, including stable isotope analysis to infer diet and mobility, ancient DNA to confirm taxonomic identifications and track ancestry, and dental microwear to infer feeding practices. The discipline also addresses the emergence of domestication, the roles of animals in economy and ritual, and broader questions about subsistence strategies and landscape use.

Findings illuminate subsistence strategies, animal economies, and interactions with environments in diverse settings, from paleolithic foraging to historic animal husbandry and trade networks. Limitations include preservation bias, differential recovery, and interpretive uncertainty; therefore, multi-proxy approaches and rigorous, transparent reporting are standard.