The Use of Stable Isotopes in Zooarchaeology
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Human-Animal Interactions, Animal Behaviour and Emotion".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 2
Special Issue Editor
Interests: zooarchaeology; environmental archaeology; isotope analyses; diet and foodways; near Eastern archaeology; African archaeology; ethnozooarchaeology; mobility and trade
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Isotopic analyses within zooarchaeology have long complemented traditional zooarchaeological approaches and expanded interpretive potential. Today, the field is both dynamic and rapidly advancing as a key component of archaeological science. Isotope analyses are being applied to an ever-increasing range of archaeological questions. Methodological advances include improved sampling techniques for enhanced resolution, attention to isoscape construction and increasing emphasis on multi-isotope and multi-proxy approaches. Emerging trends include efforts to standardize protocols, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
This Special Issue seeks to highlight the valuable role of stable isotope analyses in the archaeological study of animals, investigating human–animal-environment interactions, subsistence strategies, and environmental reconstructions. Interdisciplinary contributions are encouraged. This Special Issue aims to further dialogue between researchers working across geographic regions and time periods, and to showcase the latest innovations in isotopic applications to animal remains in archaeology.
Prof. Dr. Elizabeth Arnold
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- zooarchaeology
- human–animal–environment relations
- multi-isotope
- interdisciplinary
- food habits and culture
- palaeoenvironment
- domestication and animal management
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
