What is archaeozoology

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Experts and specialised areas

One of the greatest sources of diversity in archaeozoology comes from the multidisciplinary backgrounds of the archaeozoologists themselves. They may come from fields such as zoology, archaeology, agricultural science, biology, veterinary medicine, paleontology, geography, or geology. Each discipline brings its own perspectives, questions, methods, and research goals to the study of animal remains. Depending on their training, archaeozoologists may focus on all vertebrates, invertebrates, or specific classes of animals. The materials they study can include hair, horn, feathers, fur, scales, coprolites, blood, DNA, isotopes, trace elements, insects, mites, eggshells, mollusks, or bones. Written, pictorial, or figurative sources may also be used in their research.

Human-animal-environment interaction
Animals played a variety of roles even before their death, particularly domesticated ones, which were heavily utilized as working animals. They served as guards, draft animals, pack carriers, hunting companions, herders, truffle hunters, and fishing aids. These animals were so valuable that they were often only slaughtered when they became too old to work. In some cases, animals also held symbolic significance that went beyond their economic or material uses. Many were kept for emotional reasons and given careful burial after death. However, their remains are often not found in typical excavation sites or among the usual refuse recovered. Such animals, their parts, or their representations may have been kept to link an individual, household, or community with the animal and its symbolic power.

As demonstrated above, modern archaeozoological research has significantly expanded beyond merely reconstructing ancient diets. Many of today’s methodological and theoretical discussions are best understood within the context of the field’s historical evolution. Some techniques, originally developed for addressing questions that are no longer widely explored, are now being applied in new ways. Certain inquiries call for the development of new methods, while in other instances, both traditional questions and older methods remain relevant and useful.
To understand human existence within an environment and the use of biological resources, a foundational knowledge of ecosystems and the history of plants and animals is essential. Human activities have continuously shaped and altered ecosystems throughout history, as humans have likely never lived in complete harmony with nature. By favoring certain species over others, humans have caused extinctions and introduced new species to various regions. Understanding the biology of organisms and the ecology of systems is crucial for interpreting how these processes have impacted species. Without biological and ecological studies, archaeological findings cannot be fully understood. As human populations grow denser, their influence on other species and landscapes intensifies. While it is possible to partially reconstruct past environments, this process is not an exact science—small-scale variations can lead to significant effects. Therefore, close collaboration and continuous communication between archaeozoologists and archaeologists during excavations are vital for interpreting these influences.

Exchange with other natural sciences
Ecological studies demand long-term investigations and extensive data collection at regional or broader scales. However, to fully understand how human populations utilized resources and adapted to different environmental conditions, it is essential to incorporate data from a wide range of sources. These sources include vertebrate and invertebrate remains, as well as botanical and human remains. Additionally, information about the physical and chemical properties of both the biological materials and the soil in which they were preserved is crucial for comprehensive analysis.

Determination / data collection
Archaeozoological identification is performed by directly comparing archaeological bones with modern skeletons of known age and sex. A well-curated comparative collection is crucial for this process. While the expertise of the archaeozoologist plays an important role, the quality of the identification and subsequent analysis depends heavily on the reference collection. Although drawings and photographs can assist with identification, they are ineffective when dealing with large skeletal collections or identifying bone fragments.
A good reference collection includes more than just one specimen per animal; it should encompass multiple individuals of varying ages, sexes, and seasonal stages. Additionally, it should not be limited to species typically found in the region. Since no reference collection in the world contains all existing or extinct species, it is often necessary to consult additional collections for missing species. Building, acquiring, identifying, and preparing reference collections is a time-intensive and costly process, and some species can be particularly difficult to obtain. Alongside a specialized reference collection, extensive experience in identification is required for each time period and region. In uncertain cases, it is crucial for the expert to consult another specialist in the relevant field, as generating incorrect data or interpretations can have serious consequences.

Laboratory examination methods
Radiocarbon method
The radiocarbon (or 14C) method, commonly used in physical laboratories, enables the determination of the absolute age of a living organism and is therefore employed to date archaeological discoveries.

DNA
The DNA method (DeoxyriboNucleic Acid), or an individual's genetic fingerprint, is primarily used in archaeozoology to examine the evolution of domesticated animals and their connection to their wild ancestors.

Isotopes
Isotopes are atoms of an element with different weights. Isotope analyses of stable isotopes of light elements, especially carbon, oxygen, sulphur, strontium and hydrogen, in bones and teeth can be used, for example, for research into migratory movements or nutritional reconstructions.

Tooth and bone thin sections
Thin sections can be utilized to identify species, while examining bone sections or dental cementum can provide insights into an individual's biological age or the season of death.
Data analysis and interpretation
The work of an archaeozoologist goes beyond merely collecting primary data. This data must also be interpreted, a process that demands significant experience and is the core responsibility of a trained archaeozoologist.

see also Recommendations concerning the environmental archaeology component of archaeological evaluations