Postgraduate Course: Bone Identification, Anatomy and Taphonomy (PGHC11130)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Postgraduate (School of History and Classics) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | 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 (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | Students MUST NOT also be taking
Human Skeletal and Dental Anatomy (PGHC11229)
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Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| No Classes have been defined for this Course |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| No Exam Information |
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 |
Assessment Information
| Coursework equivalent to a 4000 word essay |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Kathleen Mcsweeney
Tel: (0131 6)50 2373
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Lindsay Scott
Tel: (0131 6)50 9948
Email: |
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