The last decades have witnessed the adoption and refinement of various
scientific techniques that allow us to reconstruct past diets, but also
to understand the role of food in social interaction. These are exciting
developments, but the proliferation of analytical techniques may also
lead to over-specialization and fragmentation of the field. The papers
in this volume explore the relation between diet, economy and society in
the ancient Greek world by integrating different analytical techniques.
Examples include the analysis of plant and animal remains, the
bioarchaeological study of human remains, stable isotope and dental
microwear analysis as well as the examination of organic residues.
However, the aim of this volume is not only to compare different methods
of analysis, but also to integrate method and theory and to reflect more
widely on the integration of science and archaeology. The volume
concludes with the report of a Round Table discussion on the
institutional framework and the regulations surrounding the practice of
archaeological science in Greece, as well as the ethical obligations of
the practitioners.