AbstractsAnthropology

This research focuses on understanding the influences of taphonomic processes on the interpretations of human-animal relations through the analysis of taphonomic markers on osteological remains from two Middle Bronze Age sites. The results of the archaeological, osteological and taphonomic aspects of this dataset are integrated and discussed. Four main research questions are proposed: 1) What types of Bronze Age features are present at the Andijk sites and how are these connected in their relative chronological framework? 2) Are there zones in the settlements signalling a heightened level of human-animal related practices and how can these be characterised? 3) What kind of activities are shown via the taphonomic markers on the osteological remains? 4) In what way(s) can the improved knowledge on taphonomic processes benefit the interpretations of Bronze Age subsistence and other human-animal related activities? Answering these different types of research questions will not only profoundly improve our current understanding of past human-animal related activities and the cultural mechanics behind these activities within Bronze Age settlements. Furthermore, the data contributes to comprehend to what extent taphonomic processes induced by various agents might alter the archaeological record. Advisors/Committee Members: Fokkens, Harry (advisor).