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Zooarchaeological Analysis at Mudaybic
Zooarchaeology is the study of animal remains from archaeological sites. This
most commonly includes the analysis of bones and teeth, although the scope of
research is not limited to these materials. Some experts focus on alternative
sources of data such as bird eggshells, fish scales, or insect remains, just to
name a few. An important consideration in zooarchaeological analysis is to
consider how the animals were conceptualized by those who interacted with them,
which ultimately influenced how they were utilized in society. Research goals,
then, attempt to understand the interplay between animals and humans in a
cultural setting, as the structure of analysis should emphasis the cultural
aspect rather than the biological (Hesse and Wapnish 1985:3, 5; Reitz and Wing
1999; Thomas 1996:2). These investigations generally lead to answers regarding
diet and different modes of economic exploitation. Faunal (zooarchaeological)
analysis can also address the state of the ancient environment, as this will
influence the range of fauna present at a site during the time of occupation.
One advantage that animal bone analysis holds over other forms of archaeological
study is that they are known from a wide range in time periods, from deposits
contemporary with the earliest hominids in Africa to historic settlements as
recent as the past century. Other materials had a much more limited use by
ancient humans. Stone tools, although appearing early in the archaeological
record (2.5 million years ago), are not commonly used in later periods when they
were replaced by other materials such as bronze and iron. Pottery assemblages
are limited chronologically, as their earliest appearance is dated to the
Pottery Neolithic A in the Levant, or about 8000 years ago.
Near eastern zooarchaeological analysis is plagued with the problem of
determining the time period to which various bone assemblages date. Unlike
pottery or lithics, whose place in time can be determined though changes in
their general form, there has been no major morphological change in animal
skeletons in the past 100,000 years (Davis 1987:31). Their date of origin is
most commonly determined by their association with other typologically distinct
artifacts.
This case study will address five aspects of zooarchaeological research from
the faunal assemblage at Mudaybic. Areas of focus will include identification,
quantification, age determination, body part distribution, and cultural
modification.
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