Concluding Remarks

Zooarchaeology in Practice provides us with a stimulating account of a wide range of methods applied in zooarchaeology today. The book mainly focuses on vertebrate remains but also includes research on molluscs. The internationality of the contributors, as well as the case studies, guarantees the participation of a diverse range of schools of thought. The many methodological applications that are discussed include taphonomy, quantification, identification, biometry, sample size, scale of analysis, isotopic and biomolecular applications, as well as some epistemological considerations. Several important themes emerge across different chapters; highlights include the need to be more explicit about the nature of zooarchaeological recording, to be aware of the past history of research, to integrate our evidence with that of other disciplines and branches of archaeology, and the importance of guaranteeing creativity and diversity in our research strategies. The book contributes to emphasize the centrality of zooarchaeology to the study of past human societies.