Traces of the Animal Past: Methodological Challenges in Animal History

The animal turn, a multispecies approach to scholarship, has been embraced by humanities and social sciences researchers, with historians leading the way in human-animal studies. This approach challenges traditional research methods and decenters humans in historical narratives. However, it comes with methodological challenges, such as the mediation of animal stories by humans and the frailty of human memory and recollection. Traces of the Animal Past showcases innovative methods historians use to unearth and explain how animals fit into our collective histories, providing new approaches and directions for a maturing field of historical inquiry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 284 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2022
Publisher: University of Calgary Press

Understanding the complex relationships between humans and animals is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of both our present and our shared past. Researchers across various humanities and social sciences have embraced the "animal turn," a multispecies approach to scholarship that emphasizes the significance of non-human animals in historical narratives. Historians, in particular, have taken the lead in this field, blending traditional research methods with interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks that challenge the centrality of humans in historical accounts.

These exciting approaches come with significant methodological challenges for scholars seeking to explore the past from non-anthropocentric perspectives. Whether examining large public archives, small private collections, or the oral histories of living memories, the stories of animals are mediated by the humans who have recorded and organized these records. In oral histories, the fragility of human memory and recollection further refract the place of animals in the past, leaving only traces for researchers to decipher and interpret.

To address these challenges, Traces of the Animal Past brings together seventeen original essays by a distinguished group of international scholars. This book showcases the innovative methods historians employ to uncover and explain the role of animals in our collective histories. By placing the historian within the narrative, providing transparency to methodological processes, and reflecting on the practices and procedures of current research, Traces of the Animal Past offers new approaches and directions for a maturing field of historical inquiry.

One of the key themes explored in the book is the ways in which animals have been used as tools, companions, and symbols throughout history. Historians examine how animals have been domesticated, trained, and used for various purposes, such as agriculture, warfare, entertainment, and religious rituals. They also explore the complex relationships between humans and animals, including the ways in which animals have influenced human social, cultural, and political structures.

Another important aspect of the book is the role of animals in shaping human identities and experiences. Historians examine how animals have been represented and interpreted in art, literature, and popular culture, and how these representations have influenced human perceptions and attitudes toward animals. They also explore the ways in which animals have been used as symbols of power, status, and identity, and how these symbols have been contested and transformed over time.

Traces of the Animal Past also addresses the methodological challenges associated with studying the animal past. Scholars discuss the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, the use of new digital technologies, and the ethical considerations involved in researching and writing about animals. They also explore the challenges of accessing and interpreting historical records, particularly those that may be incomplete or biased.

In conclusion, Traces of the Animal Past is a groundbreaking work that contributes significantly to our understanding of the complex relationships between humans and animals. By embracing a multispecies approach to scholarship, historians have opened up new avenues for exploring the past and challenging traditional narratives. This book provides valuable insights into the role of animals in shaping our collective histories and offers new approaches and directions for future research. Whether you are a historian, scholar, or simply interested in the history of non-human animals, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to better understand the past from a broader and more inclusive perspective.

Weight: 363g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781773853840