International Council
for Archaeozoology

The Animal Palaeopathology Working Group (APWG) was set up by Jessica Davies, Andy Hammon and Richard Thomas in 1999 to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the discussion of theoretical and methodological issues relating to the study of animal health, disease and injury in the past. At the outset, three specific areas of concern were identified with the state of the discipline. (more)

The AMWG's mission is the liberal exchange of data and information about molluscs in the archaeological record. This encompasses both methods and theories relating to the analysis of such remains as well as creating an environment where specifics could be discussed amongst a group of peers. The AMWG encourages the publication of information related to these forums. (more)

At the International Committee (IC) meeting in Durham, England, in August 2002, the IC voted to endorse a new ICAZ Working Group called Archaeozoology and Genetics (A&G). In October 2012, the IC approved a modification of the group's name to the Archaeozoology, Genetics and Morphometrics (AGM) working group.The AGM Working Group aims to contribute to organize the international scientific community in order to avoid these problems. Taking into account that archaeology, archaeozoology, and genetics also have their own scientific questions, potentialities, and limitations, the group also aims to promote true collaboration between these fields. (more)

The idea of this working group grew out of the session “Past animal and human relationships around the Baltic” held at 2016 conference of the European Association of Archeeologists in Vilnius (Lithuania), initiated by Tuija Kirkinen (Helsinki, Finland). The general purpose of ABRA is to provide a platform for the exchange of academic information, personnel and research materials. (more)

The Archaeozoology of Southwest Asia and Adjacent Areas (ASWA[AA]) Working Group was formed during the 1990 ICAZ International Conference in Washington D.C. Its purpose is to promote communication between individuals working on faunal remains from sites in western Asia and adjacent areas (e.g., northeast Africa, eastern Europe, central Asia, and south Asia). (more)

The Bird Working Group (BWG) is an interdisciplinary consortium of researchers (archaeozoologists, archaeologists, zoologists, ornithologists) interested in the study of bird remains recovered from archaeological sites from around the world. The BWG was created by an initiative of Arturo Morales-Muniz in 1991. The primary focus of this ICAZ Working Group is to examine the relationships between people and birds in prehistoric, historic, and, at times, contemporary contexts. Group interests include, but are not limited to, identification of bird bones, the taphonomy of avian remains, methods of analysis and interpretation, the use of birds, and representations of birds in art. (more)

The Fish Remains Working Group (FRWG) was created during an informal meeting held at the Zoological Museum of the University of Copenhagen in 1980. Its members are an interdisciplinary consortium of researchers (archaeozoologists, archaeologists, zoologists, ichthyologists, historians, and fishery biologists) interested not only in the study of fish remains retrieved in archaeological sites from around the world, but also on any matter dealing with fishing, the fish trade, and fish consumption in prehistoric and historic times. (more)

The Camelid Working Group, known as the Zooarqueología de Camélidos (GZC), was created in 1993 and officially recognized by ICAZ in 1995. The theme of the GZC centers on the study of human/camelid interaction through time (from predation to pastoralism and herding) in the Andes and extra-Andean regions. The aims of the working group are to promote common lines of research, foster the exchange of information, and establish regional databases. The GZC is open to all researchers who wish to actively contribute. (more)

A long tradition of archaeozoological studies has widely proven that medieval societies can be fruitfully investigated through the analysis of animal remains, providing key information on a period which saw the birth and development of important economic models and socio-political structures. (more)

The Marine Mammal Working Group focuses on the relationship between humans and marine mammals from a diachronic perspective. Marine mammals have been exploited by humans over time and exploitation patterns have varied greatly between regions, time periods and cultures. (more)

The Microvertebrate Working Group (MVWG) was developed by Angel Blanco-Lapaz and Sara E. Rhodes in 2016 as a forum for the exchange of data and information related to the study of insectivore, rodent, bat, reptile and amphibian assemblages from archaeological deposits. Microvertebrate research is interdisciplinary in nature incorporating information from various professional fields (particularly vertebrate taxonomy and anatomy) and studies of these material remains are published in various mediums including international journals, regional bulletins, museum archival reports, monographs and technical papers, which often cross time periods and geographic regions. (more)

A number of particularities that characterize the Neotropics—the biogeographic region ranging from southern North America to southern South America and adjacent islands—are relevant to understanding the diversity and evolution of human-animal interactions through time, as well as the resulting archaeofaunal record. The mission of the ICAZ Neotropical Zooarchaeology Working Group (NZWG) is to offer a forum where people from any country can discuss these research problems. (more)

North Atlantic Biocultural Organization (NABO) is an international, interdisciplinary research and education cooperative formed in 1992. It participates as a working group in ICAZ as a regional association promoting Zooarchaeology and the integration of faunal research into multi-disciplinary projects in the field and laboratory in our region which on the circumpolar rim connects the Barents Sea and Labrador, with many extensions southwards. (more)

The Stable Isotopes in Zooarchaeology working group was proposed by Suzanne Pilaar Birch and formally approved at the ICAZ International Committee meeting in Istanbul in October 2012. The working group aims to bridge the gap between "traditional" osteoarchaeology and stable isotope analysis in archaeology, which can and should be used to investigate similar questions about the past, as well as improve their integration within research planning and design, methodology, and application. (more)

In Fall 2009, the International Committee (IC) approved the establishment of the Taphonomy Working Group. The number of professionals working on taphonomy is steadily increasing and their contribution to prestigious scientific journals is becoming a regular trend. However, no formal international forum specific to taphonomy exists in which scholars can disseminate new research and exchange knowledge and experience. The Taphonomy Working Group (TWG) aims to fill this void and encourage wider dissemination and greater collaboration and inter-disciplinarity in taphonomic research. (more)

The purpose of the Worked Bone Research Group (WBRG) is to improve communication between individuals studying worked animal hard tissues (especially bone, antler, and ivory) with special emphasis on archaeological finds. A broad diachronic, and multi-disciplinary approach is emphasized in order to promote the exchange of ideas concerning attitudes to and procurement of raw materials, technology, and cognitive aspects of working osseous materials of all kinds. (more)

There are many advantages to investigating the zooarchaeology of the modern era as this period witnessed immense socio-economic transformations on a global scale. These include a shift in the distribution of wealth; the rise of consumerism and globalisation; a global urban population boom; a series of innovations in agriculture; the industrialisation of food production; the emergence of new and complex trade networks as well as the translocation of people and animals across oceans and continents. (more)

The onset of Roman civilization and the subsequent creation and expansion of the Roman Empire represent major events in the history of the Old World. They signified the introduction of new economic and social systems that rapidly spread - in a diversified way - to a vast area, encompassing most of Europe and large parts of western Asia and North Africa. Zooarchaeology can contribute to many historical questions associated with our understanding of this remarkable phenomenon. (more)

Several Working Groups were officially recognized by ICAZ between 1976 and 1994, but are no longer functioning as formal groups. Some of these groups formally disbanded after fulfilling their basic mission. Others have been in hibernation and could be reformed if there is sufficient interest from the archaeozoological community. Former working groups were: Archaeozoology and Archaeology, Bibliography, Bone Modification (resurrected as the Worked Bone Research Group), Nomenclature, Organization of Databanks, Publication Requirements, Publication of Scientific Works, South America, Standardization of Measurements, Standardization of Methods Taphonomy

PZAF is an annual conference organised by and for postgraduate/graduate students and early-career professionals in the field of zooarchaeology. It was originally founded by Richard Madgwick (University of Cardiff) in 2009. PZAF provides the opportunity for young researchers to present their new projects in an informal environment. For many students and early career researchers, PZAF represents their first experience of interaction, exchange of information and mutual learning with their counterparts from different countries. It therefore provides the opportunity for students to be exposed to different research traditions and approaches and to foster academic networking among the wider community of upcoming zooarchaeologists. (more)