Archaeological Approaches to Animals in Transport Systems of the Past

Animals played a central role in systems of transport throughout human history, facilitating the movement of people, plants, animals, goods, resources, and information across ancient landscapes. Many species served as pack, riding or traction animals, shaping settlement, trade, migration, warfare, and cultural interaction in profound ways.This research topic places animals at the centre of discussions of past transport and mobility. Contributions to this paper collection will explore how different species enabled and constrained movement, how transport practices shaped animal lives and bodies, and how archaeological evidence can trace the entanglements of humans, animals, and mobility across time and space. By bringing together contributions from diverse geographical regions, chronological periods, and methodological traditions, we aim to cultivate an interdisciplinary conversation on animal transport and the broader dynamics of movement in the past, offering new perspectives on past economies, landscapes, social connections, and the lived experiences of both humans and animals.This research topic welcomes papers exploring the involvement of animals in transport or transport systems at any time during the past, with a broad environmental archaeology focus. Interdisciplinary studies are particularly welcome, for example bringing together bioarchaeological data and material culture. Potential topics could include:- Osteoarchaeological evidence for the use of animals for transport- Isotopic evidence for animal involvement in transport networks- Genomic research investigating the role of animals in transport- Review articles connecting environmental archaeology with other sources of insight into animal transport, such as material culture or petroglyphs, or written records Topic editors: Lizzie Wright, William Taylor, Phoebe Liu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85874/archaeological-approaches-to-animals-in-transport-systems-of-the-past