Bone Identification, Anatomy and Taphonomy (P01171)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HCA-P-P01171

The accurate anatomical and taxonomic identification of bones is the first step in their evaluation. At a basic level, osteoarchaeological analysis attempts to distinguish between the remains of humans and animals, and to identify the bones of various animals. Taphonomy aims to reconstruct the post mortem history of bone finds and involves the critical evaluation of bone assemblages that have been continuously affected by natural agents and human activity alike. Understanding the processes that have created bone deposits is fundamental in the meaningful archaeological interpretation of osteological data. A special form of post mortem bone modification is burning. Cremation, especially in the case of humans, is of great cultural importance and identifying calcined bone takes special skills, also taught in this course. Last but not least, the course also includes guidance on the recovery and recording of archaeosteological materials, methods that are aimed at minimizing further, modern day 'taphonomic' loss of information.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of History and Classics), (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course the student will:
- Be able accurately to identify and distinguish between animal and human (Homo sapiens) bones
- Be able to identify a range of animal species from their skeletal remains
- Have a basic understanding of the specific methods used in the identification and analysis of human cremated remains
- Have an awareness of the various processes that can affect skeletal remains after death and how this information can add to our understanding of ancient societies and/or environments