Undergraduate Course: Scientific Methods in Bio-Archaeology (ARCA10077)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Analytical techniques and scientific methods are increasingly used in the reconstruction of the human past. Molecular and isotopic analyses of human and animal remains are providing startling new insights into human evolution and prehistoric lifeways. In addition to providing a detailed explanation of these methodologies, this course will focus on how these methods have been successfully applied to a multitude of real-world archaeological questions. |
| Course description |
Key themes that will be investigated include prehistoric mobility and migration, the origins and development of agriculture, palaeodietary reconstruction, infectious disease, and the fate of the Neanderthals. These major research questions will be examined through a series of case studies and workshops.
The course comprises 11 lectures and 6 workshops focusing on the practical, real-world applications of scientific techniques as a tool for archaeological research. The topics covered include:
Lecture 1: The appliance of science - an introduction to biomolecules
Lecture 2: DNA and archaeology
Lecture 3: Relatedness in past populations
Lecture 4: Infectious diseases and inherited conditions
Lecture 5: DNA and domestication - unnatural selection
Lecture 6: Atoms and isotopes
Lecture 7: Palaeodietary reconstruction
Lecture 8: Sulphur - the next diet fad?
Lecture 9: Migration and mobility
Lecture 10: Radiocarbon dating and reservoir effects
Lecture 11: Lipids - pottery, coprolites and sediments
Workshop 1: Interpreting DNA
Workshop 2: The Romanovs
Workshop 3: Writing a research proposal
Workshop 4: Extracting DNA
Workshop 5: Are we what we eat?
Workshop 6: Mobility in prehistory
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Pre-requisites: Archaeology 2A and 2B, or Honours entry to degrees in Classics, or equivalent. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate through assessment of coursework, participation in workshops and examination detailed knowledge of the molecular and isotopic methods employed in the analysis of bioarchaeological materials;
- demonstrate through assessment of coursework, participation in workshops and examination an appreciation of the principal applications of scientific techniques in the reconstruction of the human past from bioarchaeological materials;
- demonstrate through assessment of coursework, participation in workshops and examination a critical understanding of the key issues, concerns and debates surrounding the application of scientific methods in bioarchaeology;
- demonstrate through assessment of coursework, participation in workshops and examination an ability to critically evaluate published interpretations of data; and
- demonstrate through assessment of coursework, participation in workshops and examination an understanding of the structure and key components of research proposals.
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Reading List
Brown, T. and Brown, K., 2011. Biomolecular Archaeology: an introduction. Wiley-Blackwell.
Jones, M., 2001. The Molecule Hunt. Allen Lane.
Matisoo-Smith, E. and Horsburgh, A., 2012. DNA for Archaeologists. Left Coast Press.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Upon successful completion of the course students will have aquired and/or be expected to demonstrate the following transferable skills:
(i) an ability to synthesize and critically evaluate data from primary sources;
(ii) participation in group projects, as well as conducting independent study and research;
(iii) communication of ideas and arguments, both orally and in writing; and
(iv) design and preparation of research proposals.
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| Keywords | Scientific Methods |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Catriona Pickard
Tel: (0131 6)50 2372
Email: Catriona.Pickard@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Amanda Campbell
Tel: (0131 6)50 2501
Email: amanda.campbell@ed.ac.uk |
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