Any interpretation of archaeological animal bone assemblages benefits greatly from a knowledge of animal behaviour patterns and population dynamics, but there are difficulties in directly imposing modern data onto past, often non-analogue environments, and in assuming species-specific behaviour. This paper suggests that behavioural ecology – which stresses adaptation – provides a fruitful approach for predicting ethological details of past wild animal populations. The study focuses on the genus Gazella, whose remains are commonly found on archaeological sites in south-west Asia in the period 20,000–7500 before present (BP), and whose role in human societies has been much debated. Following a behavioural ecological method, selected data from 18 modern observed gazelle populations are summarized, compared, and the factors that influence and constrain the animals' behaviour are discussed. The potential for using the principles of behavioural ecology to predict factors such as gazelle social structure, reproductive strategies and mobility patterns in past environments is considered, and the value of such an approach for zooarchaeological interpretation is demonstrated.