The Art and Archaeology of Human Engagements with Birds of Prey: From Prehistory to the Present

Birds of prey have long been a source of fascination for humans, and this book explores the diverse and fluid dynamics between humans and these birds across time and cultures. It demonstrates that birds of prey have been significant in shaping human society and culture, from depictions in visual art to their roles in Indigenous mythologies and religious rituals. The book also explores perspectival and other post-humanist thinking on human-raptor ontologies and epistemologies, recognizing that human-raptor relationships are not driven exclusively by human intentionality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Birds of prey, among all avian groups, have held a longstanding fascination within numerous human societies. This captivating book showcases the profound and enduring significance of human interactions with raptors across vast temporal and geographical boundaries, spanning from the earliest prehistory to contemporary Indigenous thought. Through a diverse array of global case studies and complementary perspectives, it delves into the intricate and ever-evolving dynamics between humans and these magnificent creatures as evidenced in the rich art-historical and archaeological record.

From their portrayal as formidable beings in visual art to their vital roles in Indigenous mythologies, birds of prey have played a pivotal role in shaping human society and culture. The deliberate deposition of their faunal remains, the display of their preserved bodies in museums, and the reverence they command in religious rituals all underscore their immense importance. However, several chapters in this volume go beyond the traditional culture-nature dichotomy and explore perspectival and other post-humanist perspectives on human-raptor ontologies and epistemologies. The contributors acknowledge that human-raptor relationships are not solely driven by human intentionality and that when these species encounter each other, they engage in reciprocal relations and co-exist. This raptor-with-human-focused approach fosters a productive re-framing of questions about human-raptor interstices, encourages innovative thinking about established evidence, and provides guidance for future interactions with birds of prey.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350267985