Sessions > Session 5

HOMER 2020 - Session 5: Marine resources: new approaches, new challenges

The growing number of excavations in coastal contexts is allowing the large-scale recovery of archaeozoological remains (mammal, bird and fish bones, mollusc shells, crab remains ...). In recent years, the introduction of structured sampling methods associated with fine-mesh sieving has made it possible to describe many species that had previously been the victims of selective collection. The analysis of these samples, from controlled archaeological contexts, allows a better understanding of the exploitation of the resources available in coastal areas and thus makes it easier to comprehend the relationship of humans to coastal environments. It also helps us to approach the history of early societies through the perspective of these specific resources.

Other approaches (ancient DNA analysis, isotopic analysis, geochemistry, sclerochronology, mineral and organic chemistry ...) offer the opportunity to observe and record at an even finer scale specific features that were inaccessible to archaeologists even a few years ago. They hence raise the question of the need to anticipate technical advances, and to make this archaeological material available for future analysis after the excavation reports have been submitted.

Studies of an individual species, a specific resource (mineral or organic) or a chronological sequence are expected for this session. It will also provide an opportunity to present innovative methodological approaches.