Archeozoology is the science dealing with the identification and interpretation of animal remains from archaeological sites. The study of faunal remains provides information about climate and environment in the past, as well as indications on the variation of human behavior from prehistory to modern times, regarding subsistence strategies, economy and in general exploitation of animal resources.

The main topics will be:

1) Introduction to Archeozoology, Taphonomy and their applications to archaeology.
2) General concepts about Palaeontology and Palaeoecology.
3) Structure of bones, teeth, ivory, horn, etc. Vertebrate anatomy.
4) Methodologies for the analysis of osteological remains; identification of skeletal element and species, bone measurements, quantification of the samples, determination of the age at death; taphonomic investigations.
5) Interpretation of faunal data: palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, modes of accumulation of the archaeological deposit, hunting and herding strategies, use of secondary products, seasonal exploitation of resources, butchering and food processing techniques, bone manufacturing for the production of tools and art objects, ritual and cultural uses of animals. r
6) Use of actualistic investigations for the interpretation of faunal data: ethnographic analogies, information on animal behavior and physiology, experimental approach.
7) Methodologies for the recovery, preservation and conservation of osteological remains from archaeological sites.

If the sanitary conditions and university rules will allow it, the course will include practical activities on archaeological materials.

GENERAL TEXTS (CHOOSE ONE)
 S. DAVIS 1987 The Archaeology of Animals. New Haven, Yale University Press. (consigliato per gli studenti di archeologia preistorica e orientale)
 T. O’CONNOR 2000 The Archaeology of animal bones, Sutton Publishing, Stroud. (consigliato per gli studenti di archeologia classica e medievale).
 J. DE GROSSI MAZZORIN 2008 Archeozoologia. Lo studio dei resti animali in archeologia. Editori Laterza, Roma-Bari.