29th October 2019:

One of Oxford Archaeology's animal bone specialists has edited a new book about zooarchaeology in the study of the Roman Empire, which has been published by the Journal of Roman Archaeology as part of its supplementary series

The volume, The Role of Zooarchaeology in the Study of the Western Roman Empire, is edited by Martyn Allen, a senior project manager and animal bone specialist at Oxford Archaeology South, and includes a range of papers from an international list of high-profile contributors in the world of zooarchaeology.

A central aspect of the book concerns the variety of ways in which animal bones contribute to our understanding of the Roman world. It seeks to ask questions of human-animal relationships in order to shine a light onto the wide range of cultures that made up the Roman Empire, from Britain to North Africa. The papers cover topics such as husbandry, hunting, meat processing and supply, the exploitation and display of wild animals, religious sacrifice and offerings, feasting, and the use of animals in medicine and magic.

The book is on sale now from JRA online. Click here to view the volume's list of contents.