Zooarchaeology Lab Sheffield
@zooarchlabsheff.bsky.social
Zooarchaeology lab based at the University of Sheffield, home to an extensive animal bone reference collection and one of the most active zooarch research teams in the world
ZOOARCH, aka the way zooarchaeologists talk to each other, support each other, and learn from each other, was created in 2000 by Umberto Albarella and Jacqui Mulville. To join, you can find more information by following the link:
www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/weba....
www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/weba....
www.jiscmail.ac.uk
September 14, 2026 at 1:22 PM
ZOOARCH, aka the way zooarchaeologists talk to each other, support each other, and learn from each other, was created in 2000 by Umberto Albarella and Jacqui Mulville. To join, you can find more information by following the link:
www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/weba....
www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/weba....
A&K No. 49 is here!
This time, we’re spotlighting Erika Gal, whose work in Romania and Hungary has been instrumental in the development of archaeornithology, alongside her important contributions to zooarchaeology.
🐦 Curious to discover her research? Here’s one of her books to get you started!
This time, we’re spotlighting Erika Gal, whose work in Romania and Hungary has been instrumental in the development of archaeornithology, alongside her important contributions to zooarchaeology.
🐦 Curious to discover her research? Here’s one of her books to get you started!
Fowling in Lowlands | Archaeolingua
Series Minor No. 24 Budapest, Archaeolingua, 2007 Puhakötés | Paper book, 23.5 × 16.5 cm 152 oldal, színes és fekete-fehér illusztrációkkal | 152 pages with colored and grayscale images Table of conte...
www.archaeolingua.hu
September 14, 2026 at 1:16 PM
A&K No. 49 is here!
This time, we’re spotlighting Erika Gal, whose work in Romania and Hungary has been instrumental in the development of archaeornithology, alongside her important contributions to zooarchaeology.
🐦 Curious to discover her research? Here’s one of her books to get you started!
This time, we’re spotlighting Erika Gal, whose work in Romania and Hungary has been instrumental in the development of archaeornithology, alongside her important contributions to zooarchaeology.
🐦 Curious to discover her research? Here’s one of her books to get you started!
Say hello to the newest member of our Zooarchaeological Reference Collection! 👋🦴
This American mink has shed its coat, embraced the skeletal look and is now ready to help us identify animal remains from the past🦴🔍. Huge thanks to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for donating this fantastic animal to us
This American mink has shed its coat, embraced the skeletal look and is now ready to help us identify animal remains from the past🦴🔍. Huge thanks to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for donating this fantastic animal to us
August 24, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Say hello to the newest member of our Zooarchaeological Reference Collection! 👋🦴
This American mink has shed its coat, embraced the skeletal look and is now ready to help us identify animal remains from the past🦴🔍. Huge thanks to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for donating this fantastic animal to us
This American mink has shed its coat, embraced the skeletal look and is now ready to help us identify animal remains from the past🦴🔍. Huge thanks to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for donating this fantastic animal to us
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new book on the archaeology of horses. There is also some Sheffield contribution with a foreword by @umbertoalbarella.bsky.social. www.oxbowbooks.com/979888857226...
The Archaeology of the Horse - Oxbow Books
This work surveys how horses shaped past societies through art, ritual, warfare, domestication, and social status across epochs and cultures.The horse has a ...
www.oxbowbooks.com
August 21, 2026 at 8:00 AM
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new book on the archaeology of horses. There is also some Sheffield contribution with a foreword by @umbertoalbarella.bsky.social. www.oxbowbooks.com/979888857226...
⚠️ Warning: photos of a dead fish!🐟
🦴 Skeletonising a boxfish is no walk in the park!
This longhorn cowfish comes with its own built-in armour: a rigid, box-shaped body covered in hard bony plates. Basically, nature made a fish that comes in a box… and then challenged us to get it out. 😅
🦴 Skeletonising a boxfish is no walk in the park!
This longhorn cowfish comes with its own built-in armour: a rigid, box-shaped body covered in hard bony plates. Basically, nature made a fish that comes in a box… and then challenged us to get it out. 😅
August 18, 2026 at 11:32 AM
⚠️ Warning: photos of a dead fish!🐟
🦴 Skeletonising a boxfish is no walk in the park!
This longhorn cowfish comes with its own built-in armour: a rigid, box-shaped body covered in hard bony plates. Basically, nature made a fish that comes in a box… and then challenged us to get it out. 😅
🦴 Skeletonising a boxfish is no walk in the park!
This longhorn cowfish comes with its own built-in armour: a rigid, box-shaped body covered in hard bony plates. Basically, nature made a fish that comes in a box… and then challenged us to get it out. 😅
For A&K n.48, we’re delighted to feature “Herders or hunters?” by Laura Llorente Rodriguez. Laura joined us during her PhD in Madrid and quickly became part of the team. Now Assistant Professor in Archaeozoology at Leiden University, she remains a close friend and collaborator.
Herders or hunters? Discriminating butchery practices through phalanx breakage patterns at Cova Fosca (Castellón, Spain)
This paper aims to address the issue of whether or not the bones of wild and domestic ungulates in the Neolithic levels of Cova Fosca (Eastern Spain) …
www.sciencedirect.com
August 17, 2026 at 8:25 AM
For A&K n.48, we’re delighted to feature “Herders or hunters?” by Laura Llorente Rodriguez. Laura joined us during her PhD in Madrid and quickly became part of the team. Now Assistant Professor in Archaeozoology at Leiden University, she remains a close friend and collaborator.
Watch out for this new publication by our wonderful Angelos Hadjikoumis! www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Emerging complexity through human-animal interactions at Early Bronze Age Koropi, Attica, Greece
Current knowledge on Early Bronze Age society in Attica (Greece) is limited, especially on human-animal interactions. Large faunal samples from Early …
www.sciencedirect.com
August 14, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Watch out for this new publication by our wonderful Angelos Hadjikoumis! www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We are very happy to introduce our new volunteer, Alice! 🎉
With an MSc in Osteoarchaeology from Exeter, Alice is still very much in love with zooarchaeology and has kindly offered to help us regularly with our lab and collections.
Thank you, Alice! ❤️
With an MSc in Osteoarchaeology from Exeter, Alice is still very much in love with zooarchaeology and has kindly offered to help us regularly with our lab and collections.
Thank you, Alice! ❤️
August 14, 2026 at 11:16 AM
We are very happy to introduce our new volunteer, Alice! 🎉
With an MSc in Osteoarchaeology from Exeter, Alice is still very much in love with zooarchaeology and has kindly offered to help us regularly with our lab and collections.
Thank you, Alice! ❤️
With an MSc in Osteoarchaeology from Exeter, Alice is still very much in love with zooarchaeology and has kindly offered to help us regularly with our lab and collections.
Thank you, Alice! ❤️
We are delighted to announce the publication of ANIMAL HUSBANDRY IN THE ROMAN AND MEDIEVAL LAGOON OF VENICE, ITALY: THE BIOMETRIC EVIDENCE by our former MSc Osteoarchaeology and PhD student Mauro Rizzetto. Well done, Mauro! We are looking forward to seeing more of your work published.
Animal husbandry in the Roman and medieval Lagoon of Venice, Italy: the biometric evidence
This study investigates animal husbandry in the Roman and medieval Lagoon of Venice, relying on zooarchaeological evidence. It draws on taxonomic freq…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 10, 2026 at 11:02 AM
We are delighted to announce the publication of ANIMAL HUSBANDRY IN THE ROMAN AND MEDIEVAL LAGOON OF VENICE, ITALY: THE BIOMETRIC EVIDENCE by our former MSc Osteoarchaeology and PhD student Mauro Rizzetto. Well done, Mauro! We are looking forward to seeing more of your work published.
A&K n.47 takes us to South America!
This week, we’re heading to coastal Patagonia to spotlight the work of Sebastián Muñoz, whose research has significantly advanced our understanding of the archaeology of the region — and, in particular, the long history of pinniped exploitation. 🦭
This week, we’re heading to coastal Patagonia to spotlight the work of Sebastián Muñoz, whose research has significantly advanced our understanding of the archaeology of the region — and, in particular, the long history of pinniped exploitation. 🦭
Pinniped Zooarchaeological Studies in Southern Patagonia: Current Issues and Future Research Agenda
Sea lions have been one of the main resources used by Holocene hunter–gatherers in Southern Patagonia, but many aspects of their exploitation still remain to be studied if we are to understand t...
link.springer.com
August 10, 2026 at 10:56 AM
A&K n.47 takes us to South America!
This week, we’re heading to coastal Patagonia to spotlight the work of Sebastián Muñoz, whose research has significantly advanced our understanding of the archaeology of the region — and, in particular, the long history of pinniped exploitation. 🦭
This week, we’re heading to coastal Patagonia to spotlight the work of Sebastián Muñoz, whose research has significantly advanced our understanding of the archaeology of the region — and, in particular, the long history of pinniped exploitation. 🦭
For A&K n.46, we would like to showcase the paper "Zooarchaeological study of pigs during the Holocene at El Portalón (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain)" by Marian Galindo-Pellicena, who has been a multiple and much-loved research visitor to our lab in Sheffield😊
Zooarchaeological study of pigs during the Holocene at El Portalón (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain)
A taphonomic study, followed by the biometrical analysis and mortality profile of 490 bone remains from the Neolithic to Bronze Age levels at El Porta…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 4, 2026 at 2:42 PM
For A&K n.46, we would like to showcase the paper "Zooarchaeological study of pigs during the Holocene at El Portalón (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain)" by Marian Galindo-Pellicena, who has been a multiple and much-loved research visitor to our lab in Sheffield😊
Great to welcome Alice Dixon back to the Zooarchaeology Research Collection yesterday during our RICHeS Open Day!
After completing her MSc with us at Sheffield, Alice now works for Archaeology Warwickshire and visited to brush up on her zooarchaeology skills.
Alice, we hope to see you again soon!
After completing her MSc with us at Sheffield, Alice now works for Archaeology Warwickshire and visited to brush up on her zooarchaeology skills.
Alice, we hope to see you again soon!
July 29, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Great to welcome Alice Dixon back to the Zooarchaeology Research Collection yesterday during our RICHeS Open Day!
After completing her MSc with us at Sheffield, Alice now works for Archaeology Warwickshire and visited to brush up on her zooarchaeology skills.
Alice, we hope to see you again soon!
After completing her MSc with us at Sheffield, Alice now works for Archaeology Warwickshire and visited to brush up on her zooarchaeology skills.
Alice, we hope to see you again soon!
Summer might be heating up, but the lab certainly isn't slowing down! ☀️🦴
We've just started skeletonising an American mink. Huge thanks to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for providing this fantastic specimen. Stay tuned for the finished skeleton!
We've just started skeletonising an American mink. Huge thanks to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for providing this fantastic specimen. Stay tuned for the finished skeleton!
July 28, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Summer might be heating up, but the lab certainly isn't slowing down! ☀️🦴
We've just started skeletonising an American mink. Huge thanks to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for providing this fantastic specimen. Stay tuned for the finished skeleton!
We've just started skeletonising an American mink. Huge thanks to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for providing this fantastic specimen. Stay tuned for the finished skeleton!
A&, no. 45, shines a spotlight on the work of a great friend, colleague: Mark Maltby.
While Mark is best known for his pioneering research in Britain, he also led a long-running project in Russia that culminated in this excellent book. www.oxbowbooks.com/978184217277...
While Mark is best known for his pioneering research in Britain, he also led a long-running project in Russia that culminated in this excellent book. www.oxbowbooks.com/978184217277...
Animals and Archaeology in Northern Medieval Russia - Oxbow Books
This is the third book on material studies in this series on medieval Novgorod and its territory, and deals with a substantial body of animal bones that ha...
www.oxbowbooks.com
July 28, 2026 at 8:37 AM
A&, no. 45, shines a spotlight on the work of a great friend, colleague: Mark Maltby.
While Mark is best known for his pioneering research in Britain, he also led a long-running project in Russia that culminated in this excellent book. www.oxbowbooks.com/978184217277...
While Mark is best known for his pioneering research in Britain, he also led a long-running project in Russia that culminated in this excellent book. www.oxbowbooks.com/978184217277...
Umberto Albarella interviewed by Angelos Hadjikoumis for the International Council for Archaeozoology - ICAZ 50 years history series.
Umberto Albarella - ICAZ - 50th Anniversary Interview
YouTube video by ICAZ Social Media
www.youtube.com
July 21, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Umberto Albarella interviewed by Angelos Hadjikoumis for the International Council for Archaeozoology - ICAZ 50 years history series.
It's very nice to see that our university chose to celebrate the work of our technicians, who are so vital to the appropriate function of our University. Shame, however, that they decided to 'celebrate' the work of our brilliant bioarchaeology technician by making her redundant..
sheffield.ac.uk
July 21, 2026 at 9:34 AM
It's very nice to see that our university chose to celebrate the work of our technicians, who are so vital to the appropriate function of our University. Shame, however, that they decided to 'celebrate' the work of our brilliant bioarchaeology technician by making her redundant..
For A&K n.44, we're delighted to spotlight the work of our friend Lídia Colominas Barberà. "Roman Conquest and Changes in Animal Husbandry in the North-East of the Iberian Peninsula", reflects Lidia's longstanding research interests in the impact of the Roman conquest on animal husbandry.
Making sure you're not a bot!
revistas.uam.es
July 21, 2026 at 9:32 AM
For A&K n.44, we're delighted to spotlight the work of our friend Lídia Colominas Barberà. "Roman Conquest and Changes in Animal Husbandry in the North-East of the Iberian Peninsula", reflects Lidia's longstanding research interests in the impact of the Roman conquest on animal husbandry.
THEMES IN OLD WORLD ZOOARCHAEOLOGY, our book dedicated to Simon Davis is now available at a very competitive price! @icaz-news.bsky.social @oxbowbooks.bsky.social
July 17, 2026 at 2:24 PM
THEMES IN OLD WORLD ZOOARCHAEOLOGY, our book dedicated to Simon Davis is now available at a very competitive price! @icaz-news.bsky.social @oxbowbooks.bsky.social
www.uptonfunerals.com/obituaries/d... A zooarchaeology giant has left us. RIP Richard Meadow. 😢
Dr. Richard H. Meadow Obituary Jul 10, 2026 - Pickering & Son Upton Funeral Home
View Dr. Richard H. Meadow's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
www.uptonfunerals.com
July 16, 2026 at 1:05 PM
www.uptonfunerals.com/obituaries/d... A zooarchaeology giant has left us. RIP Richard Meadow. 😢
We are very pleased to have had two RiCHeS access funds projects allocated to our bioarchaeology labs: "Animal bones as powerful carriers of meaning: memory and identity, life and death" & "Assiros Toumba: Weed ecology and Bronze Age cultivation intensity". Stay tuned🙂!
www.riches.ukri.org
July 16, 2026 at 1:04 PM
We are very pleased to have had two RiCHeS access funds projects allocated to our bioarchaeology labs: "Animal bones as powerful carriers of meaning: memory and identity, life and death" & "Assiros Toumba: Weed ecology and Bronze Age cultivation intensity". Stay tuned🙂!
Reposted by Zooarchaeology Lab Sheffield
sheffield.ac.uk/technicians/... It's very nice to see that my university chose to celebrate the work of our excellent technicians. Shame, however, that they decided to 'celebrate' the work of our brilliant bioarchaeology technician by making her redundant... @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
Our People: Celebrating Technicians
A University campaign designed to shine a spotlight on our inspiring technicians and the vital roles they play across research, innovation, education and support services.
sheffield.ac.uk
July 7, 2026 at 11:03 AM
sheffield.ac.uk/technicians/... It's very nice to see that my university chose to celebrate the work of our excellent technicians. Shame, however, that they decided to 'celebrate' the work of our brilliant bioarchaeology technician by making her redundant... @sheffielducu.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
A&K n.43!
While many of us in Europe wrestle with distinguishing sheep from goats our colleagues on the other side of the world face a very different set of identification challenges.
This brilliant work by Erin Mein and Tiina Manne explores the fascinating world of marsupial identification.
While many of us in Europe wrestle with distinguishing sheep from goats our colleagues on the other side of the world face a very different set of identification challenges.
This brilliant work by Erin Mein and Tiina Manne explores the fascinating world of marsupial identification.
Identifying marsupials from Australian archaeological sites: current methodological challenges and opportunities in zooarchaeological practice
We review current zooarchaeological practice in Australia, identifying major research themes and key methodological gaps where opportunities exist for the development of Australian zooarchaeology as ...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 16, 2026 at 9:22 AM
A&K n.43!
While many of us in Europe wrestle with distinguishing sheep from goats our colleagues on the other side of the world face a very different set of identification challenges.
This brilliant work by Erin Mein and Tiina Manne explores the fascinating world of marsupial identification.
While many of us in Europe wrestle with distinguishing sheep from goats our colleagues on the other side of the world face a very different set of identification challenges.
This brilliant work by Erin Mein and Tiina Manne explores the fascinating world of marsupial identification.
🐂 Meet Attila! No, he's not here to conquer Europe—but he is the newest addition to our zooarchaeology collection.
This Highland bull reached the grand age of 22, and his skeleton shows some fascinating age-related changes.
Thanks to RICHeS for making this acquisition possible. 🦴
This Highland bull reached the grand age of 22, and his skeleton shows some fascinating age-related changes.
Thanks to RICHeS for making this acquisition possible. 🦴
June 21, 2026 at 8:38 AM
🐂 Meet Attila! No, he's not here to conquer Europe—but he is the newest addition to our zooarchaeology collection.
This Highland bull reached the grand age of 22, and his skeleton shows some fascinating age-related changes.
Thanks to RICHeS for making this acquisition possible. 🦴
This Highland bull reached the grand age of 22, and his skeleton shows some fascinating age-related changes.
Thanks to RICHeS for making this acquisition possible. 🦴
link.springer.com/.../10.1007/.... A recent publication by some good friends and colleagues! Enjoy!
link.springer.com
June 21, 2026 at 8:28 AM
link.springer.com/.../10.1007/.... A recent publication by some good friends and colleagues! Enjoy!
Big life change for our Veronica Aniceti! Good luck for your new position as a Tenure Track Researcher at Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy! 🙂😍
June 18, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Big life change for our Veronica Aniceti! Good luck for your new position as a Tenure Track Researcher at Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy! 🙂😍