Dear Zooarchers,
An apology if this is somewhat early.
I am keen to organise a session on butchery for the 2006 ICAZ conference
looking at New and Old World techniques of butchery research / analysis
and attempting to draw together novel and interesting perspectives on how
we might advance this research area. I think butchery is an incredibly
useful tool and there has been many advances made in its study that would
be worthy of dissemination.

The session would explore:
• Issues of species variation and whether there are differences in
the butchery techniques seen
• Issues of cultural and ethnic identity from varying geographic
localities
• Variation in methods used for researching butchery based on period
and location
• Illustrate economic trends from butchery data
• Highlight research that focuses on conceptual attitudes as opposed
to purely socio-economic
• Provide a forum for new research techniques and methods used to
study butchery
• Demonstrate the importance of understanding overall process and
links with implements

Tentatively, the session title would be:

"Cut Mark Research: New and Old World Perspectives on Advances in Butchery
Analysis"

At present I am waiting to hear back from the ICAZ Conference organisers;
I am at this stage gauging potential interest to see if this is an area
that will generate enough interest for a session dedicated to butchery.
Please feel free to pass on this call to anyone who might be interested.

Please contact me at the e-mail address below with any ideas for
papers/posters.

Very best regards and please allow me to take this opportunity to wish you
all the very best for the New Year!

Krish Seetah
Grahame Clark Lab
Dept of Archaeology
Cambridge University
Cambridge CB2 3DZ

E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 0044 – (0)1223 339 349
Fax: 0044 – (0)1223 333 503