Social Zooarchaeology: Humans and Animals in Prehistory Paperback

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. [C:\Users\Microsoft\Documents\Calibre Library] This Is The First Book To Provide An Overview And Systematic Examination Of Social Zooarchaeology, A New Approach That Takes A Holistic View Of Human-animal Relations In The Past. Until Very Recently, Zooarchaeology Was Heavily Focused On Diet And Subsistence Economy, Especially For Prehistoric Periods. This Book Argues That Animals Have Always Played Much Broader Roles In Human Societies: As Wealth, Companions, Spirit Helpers, Sacrificial Victims, Totems, Centerpieces Of Feasts, And Objects Of Taboos, And So On. Exploring The Broader Significance Of Ancient Animals Provides A Richer Picture Of Past Societies. Even Those Primarily Interested In Utilitarian Aspects Of Animal Use Need To Account For The Social Factors That Shaped Zooarchaeological Assemblages As Much As Taphonomic Processes-- Beyond Protein And Calories -- Animal Symbols -- Animals In Ritual -- Hunting And Humanity -- Extinctions -- Domestication As A Human-animal Relationship -- Pets And Other Human-animal Relationships -- Animal Wealth -- Meat Beyond Diet -- Studying Human-animal Relations. Nerissa Russell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 401-542) And Index. "This is the first book to provide an overview and systematic examination of social zooarchaeology, a new approach that takes a holistic view of human-animal relations in the past. Until very recently, zooarchaeology was heavily focused on diet and subsistence economy, especially for prehistoric periods. This book argues that animals have always played much broader roles in human societies: as wealth, companions, spirit helpers, sacrificial victims, totems, centerpieces of feasts, and objects of taboos, and so on. Exploring the broader significance of ancient animals provides a richer picture of past societies. Even those primarily interested in utilitarian aspects of animal use need to account for the social factors that shaped zooarchaeological assemblages as much as taphonomic processes"-- Provided by publisher "This is the first book to provide an overview and systematic examination of social zooarchaeology, a new approach that takes a holistic veiw of human-animal relations in the past. Until very recently, zooarchaeology was heavily focused on diet and subsistence economy, especially for prehistoric periods. This book argues that animals have always played much broader roles in human societies: as wealth, companions, spirit helpers, socrificial victims, totems, centerpieces of feasts, and objects of taboos, and so on. Exploring the briader significance of ancient animals provides a richer ppicture of past societies, Even those primarily interested in utuilitarian aspects of animal use need to account for that social factors that shaped zooarchaeological assemblages as much as taphonomic processes"--De l'éditeur