Zooarchaeology is the identification, interpretation, and analysis of animal bones from archaeological sites. More importantly, it is the science of understanding the relationship between humans and the animals they live with. This relationship is a complex one since humans rely on animals for food, tools, medicine, clothing, and shelter. Humans have a direct impact on animals either as part of the domestication process, or when human activity alters the natural habitats upon which animals rely. We need to understand this complex relationship to recognize the importance of animals to ancient societies.

However, animals also provided far more than food for ancient cultures. They were the symbols and totems of important members of society or events in history; actors in oral and written histories, legend, and song; elements in epigraphic and iconographic representations; and sometimes participants in the ritual and ceremony of ancient life. Once a zooarchaeologist has identified the physical remains of animals at an archaeological site, the difficult interpretation of meaning must include a detailed understanding of the social role of animals for the members of the ancient culture.

Step backwards in time to trace the cultural development of the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations that have fascinated scholars for centuries. Examine with us the fascinating questions surrounding the ancient Olmec, a complex civilization that flourished over 3,000 years ago; the Maya, whose brilliant achievements in architecture, writing, calendrics, and astronomy allowed them to maintain densely populated city-states in the jungles of Central America; the Zapotecs and Mixtecs who created and maintained the mountain-top cities of Oaxaca; and Aztecs, whose fabulous empire awed the first Spanish arrivals to the New World.

Where did the first Mesoamericans come from and how did they adapt to the diverse Central American environments? How did they build and maintain complex political systems and densely populated cities in the tropical rainforests? And what caused the disappearance of the magnificent “Classic” styles?

This course emphasizes the links that tie these cultures together to define a continuous Mesoamerican tradition. Through lectures, debates, and reviews of current literature, we will focus on these questions and other controversies while we examine the ancient Mesoamerican achievements in agriculture, engineering, literature, astronomy, mathematics, and art — technologies that astonished the conquering Spaniards in the 16th century, and continue to amaze us to this day.

Who are the ancient people of the world? Where did they live? What were their lives like, and why did they choose to live the way they did? Our ancient past is an exciting place to visit! Join us on this journey to meet our ancestors from around the world.

Archaeologists study the human past through the material remains that people leave behind: footprints, food remains, broken tools, palaces, campsites, and cities. We will see how these remnants are brought together to reconstruct the prehistory of the ancient people and places of the Near East, Egypt, China, Mesoamerica, Peru, and your own backyard!

What do archaeologists really do? What are the questions that they want to answer, and where do they look for those answers? To find out, join us on this introductory tour of the science of archaeology—the study of human past through the remains of ancient material culture.

Learn how archaeologists use survey, excavation, and laboratory analysis to reconstruct the past. Learn through hands-on laboratory exercises to analyse ancient diets and environments, to understand ancient economic, political, and social systems, and to reveal ancient religions and rituals.

Follow the development of modern archaeological methods and theories, and examine with us the major questions posed by today's archaeological investigations