PZAF - Postgraduate ZooArchaeology Forum

14/06/2026

Thank you National Museum of Conímbriga!

We are honoured to express our sincere gratitude to the National Museum of Conímbriga for its generous support of the 11th PZAF.

Thanks to this collaboration, participants will have the opportunity to visit one of the most remarkable archaeological and cultural heritage sites in Portugal. This visit will provide a unique experience, fostering a deeper appreciation of history, archaeology, and the preservation of our shared cultural heritage.

We are deeply grateful for their trust, partnership, and commitment to education and culture. Their support will undoubtedly enrich the experience of all participants.

Thank you for helping make the 11th PZAF even more memorable.

13/06/2026

Thank you ERA Arqueologia!

The Organizing Committee of the 11th PZAF would like to express its sincere gratitude to ERA Arqueologia for its valuable sponsorship and support.

As a leading company in the field of archaeological and cultural heritage services, ERA Arqueologia is recognized for its technical excellence, scientific rigor, and commitment to the preservation and promotion of heritage.

Thank you for your contribution!

Learn more about ERA Arqueologia’s mission: https://www.era-arqueologia.pt/content/missao

12/06/2026

Hello everyone!!

So, nothing happened, this is definitely the original post, that you didn't see yet because I'm only posting it now, for sure!! And I definitely didn't make a mistake on the original post (which is this one of course😅) saying it is a human phalanx instead of the obvious Human Metacarpal that it is! So, yeah, everything is fine and all is good, thanks!

This is it... the last WHAT'S THAT BOOOONE?!

I hope you all enjoyed this little quizz, we had a blast with it, and seeing your responses was always the best! One thing I think we should take away from this game is that we need to study fishes a bit more!!👀🐟🐡🐠 Come on, they're so fun and cute!😁

Anyway... the answer to this, the last, WHAT'S THAT BOOOOONE iiiiiiiiis.........

A human (Homo sapiens) Metacarpal! Don't know about you but there's always one of these mixed in with the zooarchaeological collections I've studied.

Congratulations to Sue Ann McCarty for guessing the species correctly, you've earned 2 points.

Thank you very much to all that participated and thought of participating in this game, hope you had fun! And thank you as well to the Laboratório de Arqueociências (LARC)'s team, for letting us take pictures of it's wonderfull collection!

Since we know that not everyone will be in Lisbon for the whole duration of the congress, the winner will be announced at the end of the poster presentations, be there!

Credits:
Human Metacarpal from Laboratório de Arqueociências.
Pokemon font from https://www.textstudio.com/logo/pokemon-3d-text-318

12/06/2026

A sincere thank you to Made by Humans for supporting the 11th PZAF. Obrigada André Pereira!

Made by Humans creates beautifully crafted replicas of engraved schist plaques and staffs, inspired by the artistic traditions of the ancient farming societies of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Their work helps preserve and share the rich cultural heritage of these prehistoric communities, bringing the past closer to the present through exceptional craftsmanship.

We are grateful for their support.

Discover their work here: https://sites.google.com/view/made-by-humans/p%C3%A1gina-inicial

11/06/2026

The 11th PZAF would like to give special thanks to Estaleiro Naval de Sarilhos Pequenos for supporting this event.
A unique landmark of Portugal's maritime heritage, Estaleiro Naval de Sarilhos Pequenos plays a vital role in preserving traditional wooden shipbuilding techniques and craftsmanship. Its dedication to keeping these centuries-old skills alive helps safeguard an important part of our nautical history for future generations.
We are proud to count on the support of an institution that represents tradition, knowledge, and a strong connection to Portugal's maritime identity.
Thank you for being part of the 11th PZAF and contributing to its success.

Learn more about Estaleiro Naval de Sarilhos Pequenos: https://www.cm-moita.pt/conhecer/patrimonio/estaleiro-naval-de-sarilhos-pequenos

10/06/2026

Thank You, Pastéis de Belém!

The 11th PZAF organizing team would like to express its sincere gratitude to Pastéis de Belém for their generous contribution of the iconic pastries that are such an important part of Portugal’s culinary heritage.

Thanks to their support, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy authentic Pastéis de Belém during the event, making the experience even more memorable.

We truly appreciate their contribution to the success of the 11th PZAF and for sharing one of Portugal’s most beloved traditions with our attendees.

Learn more about Pastéis de Belém: https://pasteisdebelem.pt/en/

09/06/2026

📢 Only One Week to Go!

The countdown is on! In just one week, the 11th PZAF Conference will bring together researchers, students, and professionals to share the latest advances in zooarchaeology and related fields.

We look forward to welcoming you soon in Lisbon.

05/06/2026

Zapraszamy do Warszawy!

📅 Save the date!

The next International Symposium on Animals in Ancient Egypt (ISAAE) will take place in Warsaw from the 23rd to the 28th of May 2027.

This meeting brings together researchers exploring the complex relationships between humans and animals—from the prehistory of the Nile Valley to Late Antiquity. Topics include (but are not limited to) animal cults, mummification, iconography, zooarchaeology, and the roles of animals in the economy and agriculture.

The ISAAE series began in Lyon in 2016, followed by Cairo (2019) and Naples (2022). Many contributions showcase cutting-edge methods such as 3D imaging, CT scanning, and stable isotope analysis, particularly in the study of animal mummies. These meetings have resulted in valuable publications on various aspects of animals in ancient Egypt.

We are delighted to host the next edition in Warsaw!
More details will be announced here in the coming weeks—stay tuned!

04/06/2026

Hello everyone!

This is it! The last WHAT'S THAT BOOOONE!!

This is a special one, because although it is a bone, it's not related to zooarchaeology per se...

It's one that almost all of us have found in the collections we're studying, but we usually put it aside. It's another person's problem👀

Do you know what bone and species it belongs to?

See you next wednesday for the answer!

Credits:
Pokemon font - https://www.textstudio.com/logo/pokemon-3d-text-318

03/06/2026

🎉 Great News

BAR Publishing has issued the proceedings of the PZAF conferences 2018, held in Palermo, and 2023, held in Zagreb. The title of the publication is "Animals and Humans Through Time: Case studies from the PZAF conferences 2018 and 2023" and it can be purchased on the following link:
https://www.barpublishing.com/book/animals-and-humans-through-time/