Antipodean Perspectives on Zooarchaeology: Behavioral Ecology, Taphonomy, and Applied Research

摘要

Zooarcbaeological research in New Zealand has a particularly longhistory, dating from the 1870s. Over the last century, it has bothfollowed larger trends in the discipline and developed innovativeapproaches. Three types of research that reflect these broader movementsand novel approaches are identified in this historical review of NewZealand archeofaunal studies. First, zooarchaeological studies havebeen used to not only illustrate human impacts on the environment,but also to examine the consequences of antbropogenic environmentalchange for resident human populations. Second, taphonomic research,beginning with Julius von Haast's qualitative examinations of moa-bunter butchering patterns, is considered, particularly studies relatingto butchery and carnivore damage. Finally, examples of New Zealandresearch that are poised to make significant contributions to theburgeoning field of applied zooarcbaeology are highlighted.