Series: British Archaeological Reports

The most widely used aging techniques are presented and contrasted in tables followed by illustrations of the juvenile post-cranial morphology of several domestic species. Intended as a manual for the identification and analysis of juvenile skeletal material. IH

This study deals with ethnoarchaeology with respect to the material culture of archaeologists themselves -- an ethnography of archaeology. The author carries out a detailed analysis of the various practices and material cultures of archaeological fieldwork, looking at certain skills, traditions, tools and other objects which become part of everyday use on a dig, and goes on to look at the meaning and symbolism of these practices and objects. He compares the act of archaeological excavation to a `traditional craft process' and goes on to discuss a typology of the related tools of this 'craft', splitting them up into two categories, those related to actually digging into the ground and those related to measuring and recording. There are associated formal methods of dealing with archaeological features, involving either removing objects (material transactions) or making recordings (inscriptions). One object of he considers of particular ritual and hierarchical importance is the trowel, which is shown to be a very personal item of equipment that can often even be a status symbol (for instance a well-worn trowel indicates experience, a position akin to that of a sort of tribal elder within the dig). The technique of an archaeologist is also discussed, with it being likened to a learned skill that can be passed on to less experienced members of the social group on the dig. Other, less material, aspects are discussed, such as the social transactions on the dig. With all participants carrying out the same actions there will be a general shared feeling of intent or purpose, common goals and interests, as well as similar skills and abilities derived from shared cultural experiences. The author carries out ethnographic interviews in order to gauge archaeologists' thought processes and general method of operating when digging. The way archaeologists recognise certain features is of particular interest here as an illustration of learned and inherent skills and abilities.

Papers on the theme of the interrelationships between quarries (and quarryside workshops) and the trade in fine stone: Mediterranean only.

Includes: Tim Ingold (pp 3-12), Time, social relationships and the exploitation of animals: anthropological reflections on prehistory; Pierre Ducos (13-23), La contribution de l'archéozoologie à  l'estimation des quantités de nourriture: évaluation du nombre initial d'individus [The contribution of archaeozoology to diet assessment: evaluation of mni]; M L Ryder (69-82), Sheep representations, written records and wool measurements.

Includes: Sarah Colley (pp 157-71), Interpreting prehistoric fishing strategies: an Orkney case study; E Marjorie Northcote (173-9), Morphology of mute swans Cygnus olor in relation to domestication; Jennie Coy (181-95), Birds as food in prehistoric and historic Wessex; E J Reitz & Dan Cordier (237-52), Use of allometry in archaeological analysis.

Papers from the 1984 conference, of which only those with archaeological reference are treated here. P Gasson (pp 1-19) writes on 'Growth rings in the aerial and root xylem of some north temperate hardwoods' (on some difficulties in dating European Ash and English Elm). J Hillam & C M Mills (121-5) treat 'Medieval dendrochronology in Exeter and its environs' (Cathedral roof timbers greatly assist in building the local sequence). J Hillam also (141-55) considers 'Problems of dating and interpreting results from archaeological timbers' and, with R A Morgan & I Tyers (165-85) looks at 'Sapwood estimates and the dating of short ring sequences', giving sapwood statistics for different regions of NW Europe, and setting out conditions in which short ring sequences can be used. 'The Belfast CROS program - some observations' comes from J R Pilcher & M G L Baillie (157-63), on the dangers of attempting to cross-date short samples. T C Aitchison & E M Scott (187-201) provide 'A review of the methodology for calibrating radiocarbon dates into historical ages', offering a possible solution to problems with incorporating realistic error terms. Further work from Belfast is described by M G L Baillie & J R Pilcher (203-14) in 'The Belfast "Long Chronology" project', which covers over 7000 years. R G W Ward, B A Haggart & M C Bridge (215-25) have made 'Dendrochronological studies of bog pine from the Rannoch Moor area, Western Scotland'.

Seventy-two papers are presented, divided into six main categories: GIS; virtual archaeology; osteology; Internet applications/cultural heritage management; survey and mapping/archaeometry/GPS/CAD; database applications/statistics/quantitative methods. Abstracts to all presented papers, as well as posters and workshops, are also included. The sites discussed are international, and references extend to all chronological contexts. The accompanying CD reproduces the book and all the illustrations in full colour. Includes separately authored reports on:

An understanding of natural site formation processes is necessary before using the archaeological record for interpretations; there are many natural processes that can affect the record, including biological factors and physical agencies. Within this work a selected set of site formation processes are considered in detail -- the action of sedimentation at lake margins. This geomorphological process in a near shore environment is examined for its effect upon archaeological sites and the material artefact record, using possible Plio-Pleistocene occurrences from Africa as a case study. Includes appendices on additional studies and descriptions of the experiments, and a glossary.

Papers presented at a session entitled `Archaeology and buildings', held at the European Association of Archaeology's fifth annual meeting in September 1999 in Bournemouth. The papers relate to the topic in general terms and from different points of view, including problems of theory, practical works, and cultural heritage management. Questions with regard to function and development of single objects were also discussed, as well as how buildings can mirror changes, or societal circumstances related to political, social, economic and/or ideological matters. Contributions include