Taphonomy and Interpretation: An Analytical Framework for Social Zooarchaeology

D. C. Orton*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Taphonomy is central to many attempts to address social questions from archaeological animal remains, especially where those questions relate to practices of consumption and deposition. Without a clear analytical framework for this purpose, however, results can verge on the anecdotal. Following a review of the structure of taphonomy, this paper presents just such a framework designed to isolate archaeologically relevant patterns of behaviour through a comprehensive, quantitative analysis of numerous taphonomic variables. The typical formation processes shaping zooarchaeological assemblages are grouped into five broad stages and considered in reverse chronological order, allowing the analyst to work backwards towards the 'death assemblage' while identifying evidence of cultural practices. Particular attention is paid to differences between taxa, context types, phases, etc., that cannot be explained in mechanistic terms. This process is illustrated with selected data from a wider study of the Vinča (late Neolithic) site of Gomolava, Serbia, tracing the identification of one particular set of depositional practices.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)320-337
Number of pages18
JournalInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology
Volume22
Issue number3
Early online date26 Sept 2010
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2012

Keywords

  • Gomolava
  • Neolithic
  • Social zooarchaeology
  • Taphonomy
  • Vinča

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