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Dear All, Tessa Pirnie, Angelos Hadjikoumis, Sarah Viner and I are planning to submit a session proposal on "Biometry and Morphology in Zooarchaeology" for the 2010 ICAZ conference in Paris. If you would be interested in presenting at this session we would be grateful if you could get in touch with us by April 27th. Please e-mail Kim Vickers on: [log in to unmask] Measurements taken from archaeological animal bones have many applications in zooarchaeology, both methodological and as material culture evidence. We hope to encourage a range of papers and posters dealing with a wide cross section of archaeological applications, species, regions and periods! Some of the broad subject areas covered by the scope of the session include: * Theoretical and methodological issues in biometry * the use of biometry to tackle methodological problems in zooarchaeology * the effects of external factors (e.g: nutrition and environment) on animal size and shape * animal domestication * domesticate development * Husbandry regimes and/or consumption patterns as indicators of culture, ideology, identity, movement etc * papers on other biometrical issues are also welcome! Many thanks for your time, we look forward to hearing from you! Best wishes, Kim Vickers Session Abstract: Analysis of the physical dimensions of animal bone within archaeological assemblages has a wide range of applications in the elucidation of human-animal relationships in the past. This session is intended to showcase new international developments in both the method and theory of biometry in zooarchaeology and its innumerable applications. It is expected that the range of papers included in this session will be varied, both in terms of subject matter – ranging from theoretical and methodological papers through to the use of biometry to address important archaeological issues- and chronological and geographical scope. Included within the remit of the session are developments in the use of biometry to tackle methodological problems in zooarchaeology – for example the differentiation of species, sex and breeds; as well as the potential of biometrical analysis to contribute to key archaeological questions such as animal domestication and subsequent development. The ways in which animals are husbanded and used by people are intrinsic aspects of cultural ideology. The evidence provided by biometry and animal morphology for changing husbandry regimes, animal populations, and consumption patterns has unlimited potential to inform us about culture, ideology, identity, trade, movement and transmission in the past. It is hoped that the range of papers from international contributors presented during this session will promote awareness of this rich, yet often overlooked aspect of zooarchaeology; and stimulate further discussion upon its use and potential. ------------------------------ Dr Kim Vickers Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield, Northgate House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 4ET. e-mail: [log in to unmask]