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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. Social Zooarchaeology: Humans and Animals in Prehistory, 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, Social Zooarchaeology: Humans and Animals in Prehistory provides a richer picture of past societies.
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
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.
