Overview

Zooarchaeology, as a sub-discipline, has advanced a great deal in recent years by incorporating a multidisciplinary approach to the development of both its methodological and theoretical perspectives. This has significantly altered our understanding and interpretation of some of the most pertinent questions within Archaeology. Archaeogenetics, and its application to the study of faunal remains, has perhaps benefited most; recent research has had an incredible impact on our appreciation for when animal domestication occurred, one of the most exceptional example being that of Canis familiaris.

However, the study of ancient DNA is not restricted to interpreting how and when humans first created the ‘domestic menagerie’; enhancements in the techniques used to analyse DNA, coupled with an improved appreciation for issues of degradation / contamination and preservation of this unique material, herald a new era of ‘science in archaeology’.

The International Council for Archaeozoology “Archaeozoology and Genetics” working group was founded in 2002 to promote communication and to promote good working practices and fruitful collaboration within and between these disparate fields. Following on from last year’s successful inaugural meeting in Paris, the Second Archaeozoology and Genetics ICAZ Working Group meeting, will be held at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, UK on the 18th and 19th June 2005.

Call for Papers

Papers and posters are invited on archaeozoology and/or archaeogenetics in the exploration of human and animal past life-ways.

Paper topics may include (but are not limited to):

• The genetic history of domesticated animals
• Human-animal interactions and life-ways
• Taphonomy of archaeozoological research material
• The extraction and analysis of ancient DNA
• The preservation and microtaphonomy of biomolecules

Please send your title and a short abstract by the 15th May 2005.

Registration forms can be obtained from the organisers, and will shortly be downloadable from the conference website. The deadline for registration is the 1st June 2005.