Social Zooarchaeology

Humans and Animals in Prehistory
Erscheinungsjahr 2011
ISBN: 978-0-521-76737-8
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 562 Seiten, Format (B × H): 183 mm x 260 mm, Gewicht: 1239 g

This is the first book to provide a systematic overview of social zooarchaeology, which takes a holistic view of human-animal relations in the past. Until recently, archaeological analysis of faunal evidence has primarily focused on the role of animals in the human diet and subsistence economy. This book, however, argues that animals have always played many more roles in human societies: as wealth, companions, spirit helpers, sacrificial victims, totems, centerpieces of feasts, objects of taboos, and more. These social factors are as significant as taphonomic processes in shaping animal bone assemblages. Nerissa Russell uses evidence derived from not only zooarchaeology, but also ethnography, history and classical studies, to suggest the range of human-animal relationships and to examine their importance in human society. Through exploring the significance of animals to ancient humans, this book provides a richer picture of past societies.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Russell, Nerissa

Fachgebiete

• Geowissenschaften Geologie Paläontologie, Taphonomie
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Vor- und Frühgeschichte, prähistorische Archäologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Beyond protein and calories; 2. Animal symbols; 3. Animals in ritual; 4. Hunting and humanity; 5. Extinctions; 6. Domestication as human-animal relationship; 7. Pets and other human-animal relationships; 8. Animal wealth; 9. Meat beyond diet; 10. Studying human-animal relations.

Über Autor(innen)

Russell, Nerissa
Nerissa Russell is Associate Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Cornell University. Her research focuses on the full range of human-animal relations, with particular emphasis on the social and symbolic roles of animals for ancient people. She has published more than forty book chapters and articles in journals including Antiquity, Paleorient and the Journal of Archaeological Science.