Dear Fellow Zooarchs,

We are submitting a proposal to create a new ICAZ working group focussing on the post-medieval/historical period. The idea is that this group will bring together a growing community of zooarchaeologists working on this period to foster collaborations and disseminate/promote current and future research.

As a part of the proposal, we need to demonstrate that there is enough interest in the community to start a new working group. The purpose of this email is to reach out to and identify members around the world who have interests in the zooarchaeology of this time period. Expressing interest does not involve any commitment on your behalf, it will simply demonstrate you might be willing to take part in future activities related to this group. Please email Becky or Eric if you would like to add your name to the list of people supporting this initiative. We also encourage those involved in the investigation of the late medieval period to join and add to discussions on the transition to the post-medieval period. We have preliminary plans to run meetings two years before/after the ICAZ International Conference and hope to organise an informal gathering during ICAZ this year to discuss plans for future meetings and activities for the group.

Below is the draft proposal we plan to submit to the ICAZ secretary.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Rebecca Gordon and Eric Tourigny 
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ICAZ working group proposal: POST-MEDIEVAL/HISTORICAL ZOOARCHAEOLOGY 

There are many advantages to investigating the zooarchaeology of the modern era as this period witnessed immense socio-economic transformations on a global scale. These include a shift in the distribution of wealth; the rise of consumerism and globalisation; a global urban population boom; a series of innovations in agriculture; the industrialisation of food production; the emergence of new and complex trade networks as well as the translocation of people and animals across oceans and continents.

Animals played a fundamental role in facilitating the events that shaped the modern world. The study of faunal remains can enhance our understanding of meat trade; agricultural economies; urban histories; urban and rural cultures; food consumption strategies; and the changing relationships between animals and people.

Over the past 20-30 years, an increasing number of zooarchaeologists have focused their research on this time period (~last 500 years), and, while some have opportunities to meet individually within the context of regional historical societies or at general archaeology conferences, there is no dedicated venue for the international community to meet and exchange ideas and experiences and share their knowledge. This working group aims to connect this emergent group of researchers to encourage collaborations, intellectual exchange and promote future research within the discipline. It will provide a forum for members to liaise and disseminate knowledge, to establish new research questions and further develop methods and approaches. We believe this global network of zooarchaeologists will foster discussions that will aid in better understanding this period. We encourage all zooarchaeologists engaged or interested in the last 500 years of history to join. Those with interests in the late medieval period are also encouraged to join and add to discussions on the transition to the post-medieval period.