The Archaeology of Wild Birds in Britain and Ireland

The book "Archaeology of Wild Birds in Britain and Ireland" explores human engagement with birds from the end of the last Ice Age to around AD 1650, integrating archaeological bird remains with ethnography and the history of birds and avian biology. It identifies changing patterns of wetland, water bird, and game species and examines our changing interactions with them, including evidence for use in religious rituals, taboos, totemism, superstitions, capture, falconry, and the economy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Oxbow Books

Renowned archaeologist,Dale Serjeantson, delves into the captivating story of human interaction with birds, spanning from the end of the last Ice Age to around AD 1650. In her comprehensive book, she skillfully combines the study of archaeological bird remains with ethnography and the rich history of birds and avian biology. Through meticulous research, she uncovers evolving patterns of wetland, water bird, and game species throughout time, shedding light on not only their nutritional significance but also the intricate shifts in our interactions with them. This insightful exploration encompasses a wide range of topics, including the examination of evidence for the use of bird body parts in religious rituals, the taboos, totemism, and superstitions associated with consuming certain species, the art of capturing and training birds for falconry, their role as companion animals, and their economic importance from the Viking period onwards. This essential reading is a must for archaeologists, zooarchaeologists, and historians alike, offering an accessible introduction to the archaeology of wild birds in Britain and Ireland for anyone with a deep interest in our natural history.

Weight: 1182g
Dimension: 221 x 289 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789259568