Human-Insect Worlds in Archaeology

For human societies, insects are part of a shared ecology involving the gamut of symbiotic relations. Insects (and arthropods more widely) have been receiving increasing attention from environmental archaeologists in recent years as the discipline has seen a greater focus on its contributions to life sciences, natural histories, and multispecies studies.

In this Research Topic, we intend to advance an understanding of the multifaceted roles of insects for humans within socioecological systems and within the practice and discipline of archaeology itself. This ranges from the biology and ecology of insects, human insect interactions, insects as archives of archaeological information, and insects as they are encountered in excavations and museum collections. By exploring these diverse settings we aim to advance understandings of insects and humans as ever-present fellow travelers, actors, and actants in shared human-insect worlds.

This collection stems from thematic sessions held at EAA 2024 and SAfA 2025, however, for this Research Topic we welcome contributions from a broader range of authors, on a global scale. Contributions can be submitted in a variety of forms, including Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews (including Mini), and Methods.

Points for scope include, but are not limited to:

• Archaeological and textual evidence for entomophagy in ancient societies, including seasonal or ritual consumption of specific insects, and insects as emergency foods in times of environmental stress.
• Food preservation and storage practices influenced by insect infestation.
• Insects as sources of materials: Silk, dyes (e.g., cochineal, kermes), shellac, wax.
• Insects as indicators of trade and storage in archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological assemblages.
• Vectors of disease (mosquitoes, fleas, lice, flies) in ancient epidemics and endemic conditions.
• Multispecies histories/ethnographies of humans and insects.
• Insects as proxies for palaeoenvironments and/or historical ecology.
• Insects in past and present religious beliefs and practices

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: insects, humans, zooarchaeology, ecology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.