Although some of the technical details of zoo-archaeology (the study of fossilized animal remains from archaeological sites) may be appropriate for bed-time reading, this author's writing style is quite lucid. He provides interesting and enlightening information on the most ancient history of our animal friends.
Professor Davis presents a table of our more important domesticated animals and explains issues of domestication in Chapter Six. It is thought that the first animal domesticated by humans was the dog (Anshe still insists that the donkey is really man's best friend) which may have become a companion to humans as early as approximately 10,000 B.C. Then followed the familiar farm animals, sheep, goat, cattle, and pig, between about 7,000 and 6,000 B.C. Later the human community began to benefit from the muscle of the horse (around 4,000 B.C.) and the donkey (around 3,500 B.C.). The camel may have joined us around 3,000 B.C. The author discusses other animals as well.
Dr. Davis also explains the distinctive features of the donkey, horse, and zebra, three very closely related animals. It turns out that their teeth are not the same. One can distinguish between the molars of these three equids. Their metacarpal bones are also not identical.
The author includes numerous photographs, drawings, charts, and maps to illustrate his discussion. A quite extensive bibliography and a glossary of some technical terms are also provided.
As indicated above, Chapter Six, entitled "From hunter to herder: the origin of domestic animals," was quite interesting. He explains current opinion on the Where? When? Why? and How? of domestication. Anshe and I also enjoyed Chapter Seven, on "Later domesticates and the secondary uses of animals." The discussion of the Advantages and Problems of Milk in this chapter was quite enlightening and surprising to us.
Chapter Two explains, "What are bones and teeth?" We thought this was so obvious as not to require explanation, but there is much more to the subject than we knew. Chapter Three takes up the issue "On reconstructing past environments." The study of ancient animal bones gives us clues about climate conditions in the past. Did you know that "individuals of many species of mammals and birds are large in cold climates and small in warm climates?" We never would have thought of this.
Anshe and I thought Professor Davis wrote a great book. We learned a lot from it and think that some of our visitors would also benefit from wandering around the zoo-archaeologist's dry bones that are so interesting and enlightening.
A scholarly book (presenting original research by a trained specialist) is usually reviewed by other scholars. Such a review can greatly enhance the value of the original book by extending the insights and conclusions of the book and also by calling attention to disputed issues that require further research. Of course, the review can validate or question the authority or accuracy of the book. This is especially helpful to the non-specialist. The Archaeology of Animals by Professor Davis received positive reviews by the following scholars.
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