A CRITICAL OVERVIEW OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANIMAL BONE STUDIES

In the course of a general review of archaeological animal bone studie s, this paper draws particular attention to the importance of data qua lity, and the assessment of the integrity and information potential of bone samples, and the integration of such studies with the rest of ar chaeology and with palaeobiology. Taxonomic identification and bone di agenesis remain two key problem areas, the second of which is slowly y ielding to detailed research. The integration of animal bone studies w ith the rest of archaeology is discussed, with particular reference to the linking of research questions with particular interpretative mode ls. Animal bone studies are seen as a fundamental part of archaeology, with a contribution to make to palaeobiology, rather than the convers e.