iconothèque de l'Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives

The archaeo-zoologist studies the relationships between men and animals in the past, through the analysis of faunal remains found in an archaeological context. From these remains, he/she identifies ways of resource procurement of animals (hunting, collecting, culling, scavenging, fishing, breeding), the number and the type of species (faunal spectrum) and the composition of animal populations (sex, age and size).

The observation of pathologies provides useful information on the living conditions of animals exploited (diseases, traumas). The analysis of anthropic traces allows the reconstruction of the ways the animal was used once dead (for food, craftsmanship and tools, rituals, etc.).