Overview

Recognition of the role of animals in ancient diet, economy, politics, and ritual is vital to understanding ancient cultures fully, while following the clues available from animal remains in reconstructing environments is vital to understanding the ancient relationship between humans and the world around them. In response to the growing interest in the field of zooarchaeology, this volume presents current research from across the many cultures and regions of Mesoamerica, dealing specifically with the most current issues in zooarchaeological literature. Geographically, the essays collected here index the different aspects of animal use by the indigenous populations of the entire area between the northern borders of Mexico and the southern borders of lower Central America. This includes such diverse cultures as the north Mexican hunter-gatherers, the Olmec, Maya, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Central American Indians. The time frame of the volume extends from the earliest human occupation, the Preclassic, Classic, Postclassic, and Colonial manifestations, to recent times. The book's chapters, written by experts in the field of Mesoamerican zooarchaeology, provide important general background on the domestic and ritual use of animals in early and classic Mesoamerica and Central America, but deal also with special aspects of human-animal relationships such as early domestication and symbolism of animals, and important yet otherwise poorly represented aspects of taphonomy and zooarchaeological methodology. Spanish-language version also available (ISBN 978-1-937040-12-3).

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9781937040154

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Reviews

A must for those interested in the interaction of human and animals in Mesoamerica or elsewhere. An excellent and balanced selection of topics by outstanding researchers. -- Guillermo L. Mengoni Gonalons, Instituto de Arqueologia, FFyL-UBA an ambitious, panregional review of complex relationships between people and animals derived from the rich Mesoamerican cultural and archaeological record. The result is a valuable reference tool demonstrating how much we have learned over the past few decades and how much more we need to know; not only here, but elsewhere. -- Elizabeth J. Reitz, University of Georgia The application of traditional and new quantification methods, ecological modelling, and cutting edge scientific techniques to complex archaeological questions and animal bone assemblages unique in their preservational and taxonomic characteristics, makes this an essential and inspiring reference for specialists world-wide. -- Polydora Baker, Senior Zooarchaeologist, English Heritage, Heritage Conservation

A must for those interested in the interaction of human and animals in Mesoamerica or elsewhere. An excellent and balanced selection of topics by outstanding researchers. -- Guillermo L. Mengoni Gonalons, Instituto de Arqueologia, FFyL-UBA .. .an ambitious, panregional review of complex relationships between people and animals derived from the rich Mesoamerican cultural and archaeological record. The result is a valuable reference tool demonstrating how much we have learned over the past few decades and how much more we need to know; not only here, but elsewhere. -- Elizabeth J. Reitz, University of Georgia The application of traditional and new quantification methods, ecological modelling, and cutting edge scientific techniques to complex archaeological questions and animal bone assemblages unique in their preservational and taxonomic characteristics, makes this an essential and inspiring reference for specialists world-wide. -- Polydora Baker, Senior Zooarchaeologist, English Heritage, Heritage Conservation This book is an outstanding example of new approaches to the study of relationships between humans and animals. Recent research, contemporary concerns, and new methodologies are addressed in 18 chapters, an introduction, and a conclusion. In addition, this volume provides important resources, such as a digital companion and a useful taxonomic index. -- Ximena Chavez Balderas, Latin American Antiquity

Author Information

Christopher M. Gotz is Profesor-Investigador (lecturer & researcher), Facultad de Ciencias Antropologicas, UADY. Kitty F. Emery is Associate Curator of Environmental Archaeology, Florida Museum of Natural History.

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