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...

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Bibliographic Details

Main Author:	Russell, Nerissa 1957- (Author)
Format:	Electronic eBook
Language:	English
Published:	Cambridge Cambridge University Press 2012
Subjects:	Vor- und Frühgeschichte Geschichte Animal remains (Archaeology) Human remains (Archaeology) Social archaeology Human-animal relationships / History Prehistoric peoples Rites and ceremonies, Prehistoric Animals and civilization Archäozoologie Mensch Tiere
Online Access:	BSB01 UBG01 Volltext
Summary:	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
Physical Description:	1 online resource (xii, 548 pages)
ISBN:	9781139019712
DOI:	10.1017/CBO9781139019712