Faunal Materials and Interpretive Archaeology—Epistemology Reconsidered

Author: Marciniak A.

Source: Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, Volume 06, Number 4, December 1999 , pp. 293-320(28)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The objective of this paper is twofold. It intends to reformulate the assumptions of interpretive archaeology and within this context to elaborate the framework within which one can study social and symbolic relationships between humans and animals in the prehistoric farming communities of Central Europe. Postprocessual archaeology has failed to provide a satisfactory account of how to judge the credibility of competing issues about the past. In the interpretive approach to animal bone assemblages, it is argued that the results of actualistic studies justify this credibility. The objective of actualistic studies is to establish how, when, and by whom the archaeological record has been produced. Credibility is also provided by the biological characteristics of animals maintained and consumed. The first level of credibility is a prerequisite to a further interpretation of the social dimensions of human action with respect to animals. The second level of interpretation is based on the horizontal distribution of archaeological pasts within and between sites.

Keywords: faunal materials; interpretive archaeology; epistemology; zooarchaeology; Central Europe

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Prehistory, University of Pozna nacute , sw. Marcin 78, 61-809 Pozna nacute , Poland. Fax: (4861) 8536-536. arekmar@main.amu.edu.pl, sw. Marcin 78, 61-809 Pozna nacute , Poland. Fax: (4861) 8536-536. arekmar@main.amu.edu.pl">