Quaternary Entomology and Archaeoentomology - Method and Theory (U02840)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCA-3-U02840

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 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.

? Keywords : archaeology entomology archaeoentomology insects

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Archaeology 2A and 2B Visiting students must have prior study providing general background in prehistoric or proto-historic archaeology.

? Costs : None

Subject Areas

Home subject area

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

Other subject areas

Environmental Courses, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? 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 is arranged annually

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

This course will provide knowledge for:

- Environmental archaeology and in particular the use of palaeoentomology in the reconstruction of past environments

- The causes for 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 paleoecological record