The Value in Studying Large Faunal Collections Using Traditional Zooarchaeological Methods: A Case Study from Anglo-Saxon England

Abstract

New methods for the study of stable isotopes and ancient DNA have revolutionized zooarchaeology in the twenty-first century. However, there are many questions about prehistoric and early historic hunting patterns and animal husbandry practices that can best be answered by studying large faunal assemblages using traditional zooarchaeological methods, including basic identifications and body-part distributions, age and sex profiles, and standard measurement data. These low-tech methods can inform us about the use of animals for secondary products and economic intensification, as well as long term changes in butchery practices, animal sizes, and hunting and husbandry practices. Zooarchaeological data from the Anglo-Saxon sites of Brandon and West Stow and the Late Roman site of Icklingham in eastern England will be used to illustrate the value of traditional methods for contemporary zooarchaeological research.