Zooarchaeology
3rd Edition
Will be published approx. on 18. December 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
575 pages
978-1-108-46921-0 (ISBN)
Description
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.
Reviews / Votes
'Current challenges in our relationship with animals make an understanding of their history essential. The superb Cambridge Manual in Zooarchaeology has been a unique and essential tool for teaching and research for decades. I am delighted to see this third edition published - such a substantial update provides us with great new opportunities for discovery and dissemination.' Umberto Albarella, University of Sheffield 'In addition to clear and concise explanations on the process of analyzing and interpreting animal remains from archaeological contexts, the revised and updated version of Zooarchaeology describes important new analytical techniques and methods that complement faunal analyses. The authors also address the significant research potential of legacy collections and the need for long-term curation of zooarchaeological materials. This is an excellent resource for graduate and undergraduate students who want to learn how to conduct zooarchaeological research.' Susan D. deFrance, University of Florida 'This book is absolutely essential for anyone who studies archaeological animal remains. Combining practical methodology with theories of human-environment interactions, the revised third edition maintains the valuable core teachings while expanding on developing topics like genetics and big data, and explores zooarchaeology's unique role in understanding our planet's future.' Ashley E. Sharpe, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute '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 HillMore details
Series
Edition
3rd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 36 mm
Weight
1232 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-108-46921-0 (9781108469210)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Elizabeth J. Reitz | Barnet Pavao-Zuckerman | Elizabeth S. Wing
Zooarchaeology
Book
approx. 12/2025
3rd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€143.80
Not yet published
Previous edition
Elizabeth J. Reitz | Elizabeth S. Wing
Zooarchaeology
Book
01/2008
2nd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€74.40
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Elizabeth J. Reitz is Professor Emerita at the University of Georgia. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and American Academy of Arts and Sciences, member of the International Council for Zooarchaeology Committee of Honor, and recipient of the Society for American Archaeology Fryxell and Southeastern Archaeological Conference Lifetime Achievement awards. Barnet Pavao-Zuckerman is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Maryland. She is a recipient of the Society for American Archaeology's Outstanding Public Archaeology Initiative Award, and the Society for Historical Archaeology's Gender and Minority Affairs Committee Diversity Field School Award. Elizabeth S. Wing is Curator Emerita at the University of Florida. She is a National Academy of Sciences inductee, International Council for Zooarchaeology Committee of Honor member, and recipient of the Society for American Archaeology Fryxell Award and the University of Florida's President's Medallion.
Content
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.