Several Questions on Zoological Archeology

Answer 1

The following are some common situations regarding animal archaeology research:

** I. Course Introduction **
1. ** Concept and Nature **
- Animal archaeology was a fringe discipline that combined archaeology and palaeozoology. It mainly studied the remains of animals unearthed from ancient sites, also known as "skeletal archaeology."
2. ** Research Purpose *
- Through the study of animal remains unearthed from archaeological sites, it reveals the relationship between human beings and the natural environment and society. For example, from the use of animal resources, we can infer the survival strategy of humans at that time. From the domestication of animals, we can explore the interaction between human society and animals in the development process, as well as the ancient environmental conditions at that time.

** 2. Research content **
1. ** Basic information **
- This included the basic research of biology and ecology in animal archaeology. For example, understanding the ecological habits of animals could help determine whether animals found at a particular site were native or introduced from other places.
- To study the acquisition and analysis procedures of the original and derivative data of animal archaeology. The original data was the unearthed animal remains themselves, such as bones, teeth, etc. The derivative data might be the data obtained from the analysis of these remains.
- To study the relationship between the formation of the site and the remains of animals. For example, the environment of the site may affect the preservation of animal bones. Understanding the formation process of the site could help to accurately interpret the meaning of animal remains.
2. ** Animal related **
- Research on the use of animal resources, such as a source of food (including the proportion of different types of animals in the diet, etc.), materials for making tools (such as using animal bones to make bone ware), or for sacrifice (like the animals in the animal burial pit of Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty).
- Animal domestication research, determining which animals were domesticated, as well as their domestication process, domestication time, domestication location, etc. For example, the China ancestors began to domesticate wild animals and plants in the Neoliths. Animal archaeology could further explore the specific details of domestication.
- To study the folk classification of ancient animals and understand people's understanding of animal classification at that time may be related to factors such as culture and religious beliefs.
3. ** Relates to human society **
- To study the survival strategies of the human population, and to infer the hunting, animal husbandry, gathering and other production methods and food acquisition strategies of humans at that time from the types and numbers of animal remains.
- Through animal archaeology, the study of economic and social changes, such as changes in the use of animal resources over time, may reflect changes in social structure and economic models.

** 3. Research Method **
1. ** Traditional morphological method **
- By observing and analyzing the shape and characteristics of animal bones and teeth, for example, when the bones of a tapir were found in the animal burial pit of Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty, they were first determined to be a tapir by the unique shape of the skull and teeth.
2. ** New technology application **
- Ancient DNA analysis, by analyzing the genetic information of ancient animals, could more accurately trace the origin of animals, migration routes, and interactions with humans, such as the origin and spread of domestic animals in China.
- The analysis of stable neutrons could be used to study the seasonality of animals, understand the living environment and food sources of ancient animals, and infer the ecological environment and human management of animal resources at that time.
- New techniques such as proteome analysis were gradually applied to animal archaeology research, providing more detailed and accurate information for research.

** 4. Research Resources and Results **
1. ** Research Resources **
- For example, the animal archaeology laboratory of Henan Province Institute of Cultural Relics and archaeology has built a huge resource system, with more than 500 kinds of 6000 animal bone comparison specimens, and has also built a "animal archaeological specimen database" sharing platform, and the archaeological animal remains sample library has collected more than 150 animal bones unearthed from archaeological sites.
2. ** Research results **
- For example, in some studies, through the analysis of animal and plant remains in different periods and regions, one could speculate on the migration routes of ancient people, the paths of cultural exchanges, and the changes in social structure. The study of animal and plant remains related to sacrificial activities can reveal the spiritual beliefs and religious rituals of ancient China people.
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