The History Of British Birds (oxford Ornithology)
by Umberto Albarella /
2009 / English / PDF
5.3 MB Download
The History of British Birds
The History of British Birds reviews our knowledge of
avifaunal history over the last 15,000 years, setting it in its
wider historical and European context. The authors, one an
ornithologist, the other an archaeologist, integrate a wealth of
archaeological data to illuminate and enliven the story, indicating
the extent to which climatic, agricultural, and social changes have
affected the avifauna. They discuss its present balance, as well as
predicting possible future changes.
reviews our knowledge of
avifaunal history over the last 15,000 years, setting it in its
wider historical and European context. The authors, one an
ornithologist, the other an archaeologist, integrate a wealth of
archaeological data to illuminate and enliven the story, indicating
the extent to which climatic, agricultural, and social changes have
affected the avifauna. They discuss its present balance, as well as
predicting possible future changes.
It is a popular misconception that bird bones are rarely preserved
(compared with mammals), and cannot be reliably identified when
they are found. The book explores both these contentions, armed
with a database of 9,000 records of birds that have been identified
on archaeolgical sites. Most are in England, but sites elsewhere in
Great Britian, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Isles are
included.
It is a popular misconception that bird bones are rarely preserved
(compared with mammals), and cannot be reliably identified when
they are found. The book explores both these contentions, armed
with a database of 9,000 records of birds that have been identified
on archaeolgical sites. Most are in England, but sites elsewhere in
Great Britian, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Isles are
included.
Britain's most numerous bird is also the most widespread in the
archaeological record, but some of the more charismatic species
also have a rich historical pedigree. For example, we can say quite
a lot about the history of the Crane, Red Kite, White-tailed Eagle
and great Auk. The history of many introduced domestic species can
also be illuminated. Even so, there remain uncertainties, posed by
difficulties of dating or identification, the vagaries of the
archaeological record or the ecological specialities of the birds
themselves. These issues are highlighted, thus posing research
questions for others to answer.
Britain's most numerous bird is also the most widespread in the
archaeological record, but some of the more charismatic species
also have a rich historical pedigree. For example, we can say quite
a lot about the history of the Crane, Red Kite, White-tailed Eagle
and great Auk. The history of many introduced domestic species can
also be illuminated. Even so, there remain uncertainties, posed by
difficulties of dating or identification, the vagaries of the
archaeological record or the ecological specialities of the birds
themselves. These issues are highlighted, thus posing research
questions for others to answer.
And the commonest British bird, then and now? Buy the book and read
on...
And the commonest British bird, then and now? Buy the book and read
on...