Human-Animal-Environment Relationship in the Past

Since the 1960s, archaeozoology (known also and osteoarchaeology), has been aimed at the description of the roles animals have played in human life, from Neolithic times to early Modernity. Animal skeletal remains are a valuable source of knowledge regarding human–animal relations, starting from domestication, i.e., the beginning of intentional animal use and rational breeding in history. Some of the bone changes observed in unearthed animal skeletal assemblages can be the result not only of domestication, but also of animal diseases leading to our paleopathological findings. Interpretation of these findings can provide us with information on the extent to which human societies had developed in the past and help us to reflect on domestic animal care, animal use and utilization, environmental changes, and the history of zoonoses. Over the centuries, anthropopressure has caused important changes in the natural environment, transforming humans from hunters and gatherers through farmers and breeders to modern people. The role of archaeozoology is to build a clear picture of this historical process from the Neolithic Revolution to today.

Thus, the aim of this Special Issue is to present recent research and reviews on human–animal–environment interactions and relationships, which can be recognized through archaeozoological materials, as well as on our interpretations of animals’ role in the past and the explanation of bone changes caused both by human activities and animal diseases.

We invite you to submit your scientific work for publication in this Special Issue.

Dr. Dominik Poradowski, DVM
Assoc. Prof. Aleksander Chrószcz, DVM
Guest Editors

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