Zooarchaeology

Zooarchaeology is a scientific subdiscipline that essentially studies animal remains collected during archaeological excavations, with the aim of better understanding the coexistence between humans and animals, as well as the environment that surrounded them in the past. By analysing bones and other animal remains (antlers, teeth, shells, and scales), it is possible to reconstruct the dietary habits, economic strategies, animal husbandry, hunting and fishing, as well as seasonality. In this way, zooarchaeology provides key data on the daily life and economy of ancient populations. Modern zooarchaeology uses an interdisciplinary approach that combines biomolecular methods with osteological analyses. Stable isotope analyses (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, strontium) in the bones and teeth of humans and animals play a particularly important role. These methods further contribute to a more detailed reconstruction of dietary habits, the use of natural resources, the movement of humans and animals, and the adaptation of communities to different environmental conditions.