ABSTRACT
This book is about zoo-archaeology (also known as archaeozoology): the study of fossilised faunal (i.e. animal) remains from archaeological sites. These remains are derived mainly, though by no means exclusively, from the hard parts such as bone, tooth and shell of animals eaten in antiquity. Zoo-archaeology is thus basically the study of the garbage of ancient peoples’ meals. Remains of animals which were used for other purposes like transport and decoration, or which happened to co-exist with early humans, are also sometimes found. And on rare occasions even hair and wool are preserved.
