Zooarchaeology

The book is a guide to methods and interpretations applied to the analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites.

Elizabeth J. Reitz (Author), Barnet Pavão-Zuckerman (Author), Elizabeth S. Wing (Author)

9781108475891, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 18 December 2025

666 pages
25.4 x 17.8 x 3.7 cm, 1.363 kg

'Zooarchaeology has been the authoritative reference for the archaeological study of animals since its first edition was published. This new refreshed edition includes valuable updates in regard to archaeological science, ethics, and curation, making it the go-to reference for animal specialists for years to come.' Benjamin S. Arbuckle, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This leading textbook introduces students and practitioners to the identification and analysis of animal remains at archaeology sites. The authors use global examples from the Pleistocene era into the present to explain how zooarchaeology allows us to form insights about relationships among people and their natural and social environments, especially site-formation processes, economic strategies, domestication, and paleoenvironments. This new edition reflects the significant technological developments in zooarchaeology that have occurred in the past two decades, notably ancient DNA, proteomics, and isotope geochemistry. Substantially revised to reflect these trends, the volume also highlights novel applications, current issues in the field, the growth of international zooarchaeology, and the increased role of interdisciplinary collaborations. In view of the growing importance of legacy collections, voucher specimens, and access to research materials, it also includes a substantially revised chapter that addresses management of zooarchaeological collections and curation of data.

List of figures
List of tables
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Zooarchaeology
2. Zooarchaeological history and theory
3. Basic biology
4. Ecology
5. Collections, curation, and dissemination
6. Disposal of faunal remains and sample recovery
7. Gathering primary data
8. Secondary data
9. Humans as predators: subsistence and other uses of animals
10. Domestication
11. Evidence for former environmental conditions
12. Zooarchaeology in the twenty-first century
Appendix 1. Taxonomic list
Appendix 2. Anatomical drawings
Appendix 3. Hypothetical Collection Data
Bibliography
Systematic Index
Topical Index.

Subject Areas: Archaeological theory [HDA]