At the
14th International Council for Archaeozoology ICAZ conference
to be held from 7.-12. August 2023 in Cairns, Australia
two sessions related to bone and shell artefacts wil take place:
Bone and Shell Fishhooks: A Close Up into Fishing Technology to Explore Knowledge, Tradition, Exchange, Migration and Beyond
Session organizer: Carola Flores Fernandez
Session abstract
Fishing has been a central activity for coastal and marine societies around the world. Fishhooks made on bones and shells are present in archaeological sites dated from at least 30000 years BP to Roman times and historic periods. A great variety of types, shapes and sizes evidences their use in different habitat, for different prey, and under different techniques. Also, their manufacture marks can reveal technological gestures, innovations, and transformations. In addition, the nature of animal raw material used for hook manufacturing, can tell us about artisanal tradition, ecological local knowledge, as well as about movement of people and natural resources.
Under this context, the proposed session seeks to assemble a group of researchers from around the world, to share their studies on fishhooks. Questions about manufacture techniques, context of use, changes of hook characteristics in time, in space, and the social and economic motives and implications of hook´s characteristics and changes are welcome.
The session will be an opportunity to share case studies, methodological and theorical approaches towards the study of fishhook production and use within coastal and maritime societies.
Shaped by Place: Development of Osseous Industries from a Global Perspective
Session organizer: Jennifer Hull
Session abstract
The working of hard animal tissues is evident from archaeological sites world-wide. Many similarities and differences can be observed dependant on the locations, environmental contexts, and time periods of the finds. The raw material selections, manufacturing techniques, forms, and functions, of these artefacts are very much dependant on the animals found on the landscape, and the needs of the people. Both of which may change through time as the environments evolve and cultures develop.
In this session, we would like to take advantage of the location of the 2023 ICAZ conference to help advance communication within the diverse zooarchaeological community by showcasing Australian and Asian-Pacific worked bone technology within the broader scientific community, and facilitate extended regional scholarly networking. We would welcome papers that highlight the significance of worked faunal materials found in their region and period of study, and how their assemblages were ‘shaped by place’.