Bones, bodies and burials: osteology and comparative anatomy

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• understand the reasons for the skeletal variability between taxa
• Understanding of the processes that affect the preservation and recovery of human and animal remains from archaeological sites
• knowledge of the typical body plan of a mammal skeleton

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Writing of technical animal bone reports
• Analysis of a faunal assemblages as a source of understanding of past environments, subsistence practices, craft, and trade
• knowledge of how molecular studies can be used to gain information on human and animal migrations, diet, and population history

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Clear and concise written presentation of a topic
• Analysis of quantitative data

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Identification of the different elements of the human and animal skeletons

The module aims to give the student an understanding of the mammalian skeleton and its interpretation in archaeological studies. The first half of the module will deal with the identification and observation of the various bones in human and animal skeletons; the second half will deal with topics such as sex, age, and palaeopathology.

Teaching methods include

• Teaching methods include lectures and practicals
• Osteology is a “hands-on” subject; where students play and active role in learning. An important aspect of the module will be studying specimens during practicals and in the bone lab outside of the module meetings.

Learning activities include

• Lab study
• Report writing
• Background reading

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.