Quaternary Entomology and Archaeoentomology (P01454)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HCA-P-P01454

Insects potentially provide the most effective means of reconstructing both past environments and the details of changing climate. As a group, their remains may be the most frequent identifiable fossils in terrestrial and freshwater aquatic sediments and they may be similarly common in anaerobic archaeological sediments. In terms of interpretation they are usually of far more use than pottery sherds, bones and pollen grains.

In this course it is intended to look at a number of case studies, where differing lines of evidence have led to conflicting interpretations, not only between palynology and palaeoentomology but also between the latter and other disciplines, including archaeology and biogeography.

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 : Not being delivered

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

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	15:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : Timetable arranged annually

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

This course will provide a knowledge of:

- Environmental archaeology and in particular the use of palaeoentomology in the reconstruction of past environments
- The causes of environmental change: human impact or climate?
- The use of scientific techniques in archaeological research
- Taphonomy and preservation and their role in the creation of the palaeoecological record