Work

Human–Bird Interactions Through Time: Proceedings of the 11th ICAZ Bird Working Group Meeting

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Bird remains have often been seen as a niche field in zooarchaeological research overshadowed by the study of mammals despite their considerable cultural, symbolic and economic significance as well as their potential as a proxy for environmental reconstruction.This special issue of The International Journal of Osteoarchaeology includes papers delivered at the 11th International Council for Archaeozoology Bird Working Group which took place on 5th to 8th June 2024 at the University of Copenhagen.The meeting was the first in-person meeting of the working group after the COVID-19 pandemic, thus providing an opportunity for the community to reconnect whilst online streaming allowed others to present or follow the conference remotely.This collection includes fourteen papers which promote avian remains as a critical line of archaeological evidence and demonstrate their capacity to illuminate past human-environment interactions.Papers include analysis of assemblages, comparison with historical evidence, developments in zooarchaeological methodology and taphonomic analysis, as well as application of biomolecular techniques.Collectively, these studies underscore the interpretive potential of avian assemblages and advocate for their systematic integration into broader archaeological narratives.

Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology

DOI: 10.1002/oa.70082

Authors: Lisa Yeomans, Pernille Bangsgaard, Anne Birgitte Gotfredsen

Institution: University of Copenhagen

Language: English

Topic: Archaeology and ancient environmental studies

Subfield: Paleontology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: European Commission, Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond

Awards: G5876881147, G695521852, G7158458254