Professional Zooarchaeology Group (PZG)
The PZG brings together professional animal bone specialists working in commercial, public and academic organisations through twice yearly meetings with themed workshops and peer support.
Joining the group brings professionals together who otherwise may be working in isolation. Group members get to share important new discoveries, or practical, methodological and theoretical developments in our field.
Aims of the PZG
Our aim is to facilitate the exchange of ideas between specialists and to establish a mutually-beneficial support network. While specialists working within universities and public bodies are able to provide access to libraries and reference collections, those working within units or as freelancers can offer their knowledge of current British archaeology, project designs for forthcoming excavations, as well as insight into ‘grey literature’.
PZG meetings
We meet twice a year, at universities, museums and archaeological units throughout the UK. At each meeting, we focus on a particular aspect of zooarchaeology, combining thematic discussion and practical workshops.
Minutes from our past meetings are published on this website.
If you would like to host a meeting or would like to suggest topics for future meetings, please contact [email protected].
Forthcoming meeting
The next PZG meeting will be hosted by the Natural History Museum, Tring on June 10th, 2023.
The theme of the meeting will be the Zooarchaeology of Waterfowl.
The programme will include a morning of talks and case studies, and an afternoon workshop on duck and goose bone identification criteria.
PZG members are given priority when we have limited places. The meeting will be limited to a maximum of 20 participants.
If you would like to contribute a talk or case study, or if you have any queries about the event, please contact the PZG group at: [email protected]
Membership
Membership is open to practicing (professional) zooarchaeologists, employed or unemployed, and to students who engage in paid commercial work.
We give priority to full time, part time or unemployed specialists (non-students) for participation in the PZG meetings. In this way, we maintain our focus on providing support to professionals, in particular those working within the commercial sector.
To enquire about joining the PZG, please email [email protected]. Together with your contact details, please provide a brief statement about your current work and interests in zooarchaeology.
