Postgraduate Course: Analytical Methods in Human Osteoarchaeology (PGHC11464)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course is an introduction to the principles and techniques of the analysis and interpretation of human skeletal remains from archaeological contexts. Topics include taphonomic process, burial practices, sex assessment, age-at-death, stature, metric and non-metric variation, cremated human remains, aDNA and stable isotope analysis. Students will be also be introduced to human skeletal anatomy and differences between human and animal bone, as well as to more general analytical skills such as scientific photography and Health & Safety awareness. |
| Course description |
The course consists of weekly lectures and lab practicals covering different topics relating to the analysis and interpretation of human skeletal data.
Proposed course syllabus
Lectures
1) Introduction to course aims, topics and assessments Ethical issues and human remains Introduction to human skeletal anatomy
2) Taphonomy
3) Sex assessment
4) Age-at-death: Adults
5) Age-at-Death: Non-adults
6) Metric analysis and non-metric variation
7) Cremated human remains
8) Biomolecular methods I: aDNA and C & N stable isotopes
9) Biomolecular methods II: Mobility - S & O stable isotopes.
10) Introduction to photography
11) Burial practices
Lab Practicals
1) Identification I
2) Identification II
3) Comparative anatomy (human and animal remains)
4) Sex assessment
5) Age-at-death: Adults
6) Age-at-death: Non-adults
7) Metric analysis and non-metric variation
8) Cremated human remains
9) Full skeletal analysis
There will also be a field trip to a local crematorium to complement the lecture and practical on cremated human remains.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 18,
External Visit Hours 2,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
152 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
There are also weekly supervised open lab hours for the programme as a whole.
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
1. 40-question short answer class test (50%)
2. Skeletal Report (50%)
Based on the analysis of an articulated skeleton, students will write an illustrated skeletal report, including assessment of preservation, a skeletal inventory, assessment of sex, age-at-death, stature, details of measurements taken and non-metric traits. There is no word limit for the report. |
| Feedback |
Students will receive written feedback on their coursework, and are encouraged to discuss that feedback further with the Course Organiser during their published office hours for this course or by appointment. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate through completion of the class test detailed and critical knowledge and understanding of analytical methods in human osteoarchaeology;
- demonstrate in the skeletal report the ability to analyse and interpret human skeletal data in its context;
- demonstrate in the skeletal report the ability to analyse and reflect critically upon relevant scholarship concerning human skeletal analysis;
- demonstrate through completion of the skeletal report intellectual integrity and maturity and a considerable degree of autonomy.
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Reading List
Bass, W.M. 2005. Human Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual. Fifth Edition. Special Publication No.2 of the Missouri Archaeological Society. Columbia, Missouri.
Brickley, M. & McKinley, J. 2004. Guidelines to the Standards for Recording Human Remains. BABAO & IFA. (Available electronically on: http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/icontent/inPages/docs/pubs/humanremains.pdf).
Brothwell, D.R. 1981. Digging up Bones. Third edition. British Museum (Natural History). Oxford University Press. Oxford.
Buikstra, J.E. & Ubelaker. D.H. 1994. Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains. Arkansas Archaeological Survey Research Series No. 44. Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Cox, M. & Mays, S. (eds.) 2000, Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science. Greenwich Medical Media Ltd. London.
Mays, S. 2010. The Archaeology of Human Bones. Second Edition. Routledge. London.
Roberts, C.A. 2009. Human Remains in Archaeology: A Handbook (CBA Practical Handbook). Council for British Archaeology.
White, Tim D. & Folkens, P.A. 2005. The Human Bone Manual. Academic Press.
Scheuer, L & Black, S. 2000. Developmental Juvenile Osteology. Elsevier Academic Press. Oxford |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The strong analytical and practical aspect of the course makes it relevant for developing a more generic, employability skill-set, which includes independent working, effective communication of complex information, critical thinking and problem solving.
- Competence in the methods and skills involved in academic research
- Developing the skills to work independently and to effectively communicate complex information
- Developing the ability to identify, define and analyse archaeological problems
- Gaining experience and enhanced ability to make a critical review of discussions, articles
- Being able to critique texts by scholars in light of the time and social circumstances of their writing
- Gaining the skills to extract key points from book chapters/articles
- Developing a knowledge of the subject area that takes in changes in its development over the past 150 years, and be aware of current themes
- Gaining a good understanding and appreciation of the importance of the ancient and environment within research
- Improving ability to conduct independent research using largely electronic sources, and investigate additional online sources |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Linda Fibiger
Tel: (0131 6)50 2379
Email: Linda.Fibiger@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Danielle Jeffrey
Tel: (0131 6)50 3782
Email: djeffery@ed.ac.uk |
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