Dear All,
Many thanks to those who got in touch and expressed an interest in participating in the post-medieval/historical zooarchaeology working group. We have had a very positive response and currently have 56 people on our mailing list. It’s encouraging to see that there are many of us interested in the zooarchaeology of this period.
Before submitting the proposal to the ICAZ secretary we want to give those who may have missed the initial email the opportunity to add their name to the list. If you would like to be involved please get in touch.
Please see the draft proposal below.
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.
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