Author Description

The analysis of animal bone assemblages from archaeological sites provides much valuable data concerning economic and husbandry practices in the past, as well as insights into cultural and symbolic or ritual activity. Animal paleopathology is the study of animal diseases in archaeozoological assemblages and increasing interest has been expressed in investigating and understanding the cultural aspects of the diseases identified. Such assemblages represent the cumulative effects of human attitudes, decisions and influences regarding the keeping, care, treatment, neglect, and exploitation of animals which result in a range of conditions, non-infectious disesaes and injuries that can be recognized on ancient skeletal material. Additionally, ever since the domestication of a handful of animal species around 10,000 years ago, close physical proximity has been a mutual source of infectious disease and traumatic injury for humans and animals alike. Shuffling Nags, Lame Ducks provides an invaluable guide to the investigation of trauma and disease in archaeozoological assemblages. It provides a clear methodological approach and describes and explains the wide range of lesions, infections, diseases, inherited disorders and other pathological changes and anomolies that can be identified. In so doing it explores the impact that human decisions have had on animals including special aspects of culture that may be reflected in the treatment of diseased or injured animals often incorporating powerful symbolic or religious roles, and seeks to enhance our understanding of the relationship between "man and beast" in the past.