Archaeology

This course will provide the students with an understanding of the main stages in the history of the animal domestication, from the Palaeolithic to modern times. The importance of domestic animals in the history of human societies as well as its variation in time and space will be discussed. The unit will cover ecological and economic as well as social aspects and will illustrate the role played by domestic animals in human communities and the historical and archaeological documentation of the early stages up to the formation of modern breeds. Extended program: The concept of species and the nomenclature of domestic animals; the experiment made by Belaev; the animal domestication process: origins, modality and impact; the diffusion of domestic animals; the concepts of ecotype, ancient and modern breed; the contribution of genetic studies to the history of animal domestication; dog; the Neolithic package; cattle; goat and sheep; pigs; reindeer; camelids; horse and donkey; cat; domestic fowl; duck; goose; rabbit; mouse and rat. The domestication of other minor animal species.