In recent years zooarchaeology has started to move beyond the purely economic towards social interpretations. In particular, these 'social' interpretations have often concentrated upon complete or partial animal burials rather than upon the disarticulated and fragmented faunal remains more commonly recovered from archaeological sites. This book presents a study of these associated bone groups from the Neolithic to late Medieval periods of southern England and Yorkshire. Not only does it present data on over 2000 deposits, it also discusses their interpretation, arguing that most are based on generalised period-based assumptions. It is proposed that a biographical approach to these types of deposit, allows the investigation of the specific above ground actions behind their creation, moving away from generalisations towards individual interpretations. The study shows the value of not only utilising specialist data, but integrating such knowledge with other archaeological evidence and theoretical approaches. The book is divided into three main sections. The first two chapters discuss the history of associated bone groups in the archaeological record and how they are created by human and natural actions. The second section consists of detailed chapters (three to nine) discussing the evidence from each region and period. The third section discusses trends in the data and the problems with how they are interpreted. It outlines and tests the use of a biographical approach and discusses the implications of these findings for wider research.

World Archaeology at the Pitt Rivers Museum: a characterization introduces the range, history and significance of the archaeological collections of the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford.

The 'Red Lady of Paviland' has been the enigmatic heroine of Early Man in Britain since the discovery of human remains impregnated with ochre were found within the Paviland Cave in the Gower Peninsular in 1823. But was she a lady, and what were the circumstances of her burial? This book examines the evidence again with the benefit of modern techniques and it provides a definitive report on more recent investigations at the site carried out in 1997. The twelve chapters include a description of the site and its deposits, dating techniques, faunal remains, human remains, DNA, geology, lithics, ivory, bone and shell and analysis of the ochre. Contributors: S Aldhouse-Green, S Swainston, A Brookes, D J Lowe, A Turner, D Q Bowen, R Mourne, E Trinkhaus, T Holliday, T Young and other.

Excerpt from Paviland Cave: An Aurignacian Station in Wales (the Huxley Memorial Lecture for 1913) As a temporary habitation it would be difficult to find a more excellent cave than Paviland; situated on the face of the steep limestone cliffs of Gower, it looks out over the changeful waters of the Bristol Channel; behind it is a fertile land which must have provided a rich hunting ground in early times; it is roomy, well lighted and dry, with a natural chimney to promote ventilation - serving also to carry off the smoke of a fire kindled beneath; in front of the entrance is a rocky platform with natural seats where the hunter can sun himself in the open air. Add to this that it is concealed from the landward view and difficult of access to those unfamiliar with the way. Evidently in every respect a highly "desirable" hunting lodge! How its advantages appealed to the palaeolithic man of Glamorgan during the Aurignacian age is shown by the great kitchen midden which forms its floor. Here, it is plain, he fabricated his implements and weapons, here he roasted his meat, flesh of the horse, the bison, the mammoth, and the bear, and here on one solemn occasion he entombed his dead. Chance visitors have entered it in later times, as Roman coins attest, and nearly a century ago it began to attract attention by the discovery of the remains of extinct animals in its floor. Mr. L. W. Dillwyn and Miss Talbot commenced excavations and obtained a large number of teeth and bones which were originally deposited in Miss Talbot's collection at Penrice Castle but subsequently transferred to Swansea Museum, where they now remain. News of these doings brought Buckland down from Derbyshire to carry out that admirable exploration which is described with the master's accustomed skill in the classic pages of the Reliqui Diluvian . Among the many facts of interest which were brought to light none approaches in importance the "Red Lady of Paviland," - the remains of a skeleton, coloured red with iron ochre, and supposed by Buckland to have belonged to a woman. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works."

This is the first book to provide a systematic overview of social zooarchaeology, which takes a holistic view of human-animal relations in the past. Until recently, archaeological analysis of faunal evidence has primarily focused on the role of animals in the human diet and subsistence economy. This book, however, argues that animals have always played many more roles in human societies: as wealth, companions, spirit helpers, sacrificial victims, totems, centerpieces of feasts, objects of taboos, and more. These social factors are as significant as taphonomic processes in shaping animal bone assemblages. Nerissa Russell uses evidence derived from not only zooarchaeology, but also ethnography, history and classical studies, to suggest the range of human-animal relationships and to examine their importance in human society. Through exploring the significance of animals to ancient humans, this book provides a richer picture of past societies.

Ally knows her super-efficient big sis Linn finds their chaotic family a bit ... exasperating. But when Linn falls for Q, the tearaway lead singer in a local band, all her sensible ways go out of the window. Everyone else can see that Q's a creep, but does Ally have the courage to burst Linn's heart-shaped bubble?