An Introduction to Zooarchaeology

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxiii

   PDF

2. An Orientation to Zooarchaeology

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Introduction

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 3-18

   3. The Emergence of Zooarchaeology

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 19-50

   4. A Perspective on Zooarchaeology

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 51-70

3. The Evidence - Vertebrate Bodies

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 71-71

      PDF

   2. Bone and Vertebrate Bodies as Uniformitarian Materials

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 73-88

   3. Bone’s Intrinsic Traits: Why Animals Eat Animals

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 89-102

   4. Bone’s Intrinsic Traits: Inferring Species, Sex, and Age

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 103-123

   5. Bone’s Intrinsic Traits: Age Estimation from Mammalian Dentition

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 125-146

4. Basic Practical Approaches

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 147-147

      PDF

   2. Field Recovery, Lab Methods, Data Records, Curation

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 149-168

   3. Identification: Sorting Decisions and Analytic Consequences

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 169-183

   4. Zooarchaeology’s Basic Counting Units

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 185-200

5. Identifying Causal Process, Effector, Actor

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 201-201

      PDF

   2. Human, Animal, Geological Causes of Bone Breakage

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 203-224

   3. Mammalian and Reptilian Carnivore Effects on Bone

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 225-253

   4. Avian Carnivore, Ungulate, and Effects on Bone

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 255-280

   5. Primary Human Effects: Cutting Edge and Percussion Effects on Bone

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 281-303

   6. Culinary Processing and Preservational Effects on Bone

      • Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

      Pages 305-337

This volume is a comprehensive, critical introduction to vertebrate zooarchaeology, the field that explores the history of human relations with animals from the Pliocene to the Industrial Revolution.​ The book is organized into five sections, each with an introduction, that leads the reader systematically through this swiftly expanding field. Section One presents a general introduction to zooarchaeology, key definitions, and an historical survey of the emergence of zooarchaeology in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and introduces  the conceptual approach taken in the book. This volume is designed to allow readers to integrate data from the book along with that acquired elsewhere within a coherent analytical framework. Most of its chapters take the form of critical “review articles,” providing a portal into both the classic and current literature and contextualizing these with original commentary. Summaries of findings are  enhanced by profuse illustrations by the author and others.​  

• Age Estimation from Mammal Dentition
• Bone and Vertebrate Bodies as Uniformitarian Materials
• Bones and Nutrition: Why Animals Eat Animals
• Emergence of Zooarchaeology
• Human, Animal, and Geological Causes of Bone Breakage
• Inferring Species, Sex, and Age through bone analysis

“Zooarchaeology is the study of animal remains from archaeological deposits. Gifford-Gonzalez (emer., Univ. of California, Santa Cruz) has worked on such remains for nearly 40 years, with an emphasis on vertebrates (especially mammals) from early agricultural contexts. … the text covers aspects of interpretation, including human interaction with prey animals, human behavioral ecology and group relations, and some thoughts for the future of zooarchaeology. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates and above.” (E. Delson, Choice, Vol. 56 (03), November, 2018)    

• Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA

  Diane Gifford-Gonzalez

Diane Gifford-Gonzalez is among the first cohort of archaeologists trained in faunal analysis and has authored numerous publications, including many widely cited as major formulations of zooarchaeological theory and method. She takes an international perspective, having researched in Africa and western North America and offered advanced seminars and workshops in the USA, Argentina, China, Kenya, Norway, and Spain. She is an elected member of the Committee of Honor, International Council of Archaeozoology (ICAZ).   

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