For thousands of years, humans have categorized animals as either domestic or wild. And yet, around the world, a more nuanced relationship exists, that of commensal animals, species that have adapted to our homes, our towns, and our artificial landscapes, finding ways to gain benefit from our activities and so becoming an important part of our everyday lives. A fascinating investigation, this text draws on archaeological records to explore human-animal relations.

Terry O'Connor is Professor of Archaeological Science at the University of York. He was formerly a trustee of York Archaeological Trust from 2005 to 2010, and was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2008. He was editor of International Journal of Osteoarchaeology from 2005 to 2011.