Admission requirements
BA degree (or equivalent) in Archaeology or a relevant discipline. SAP and exchange students: admission after approval by the Graduate School of Archaeology.
Description
Palaeobotanical and palaeofaunal data collected from terrestrial sequences has been used to reconstruct past climate. This course will introduce the techniques used to reconstruct various climatic variables during the last two million years in Europe from faunal, palynological and plant macrofossil data. In addition, case studies will be used to show how such investigations have contributed to our understanding of climate fluctuations during this time. Where evidence allows the magnitude and rate of change of these climate changes will be examined. The relevance of an understanding of recent geological climate fluctuations will also be highlighted related to present climate change and climate forecasts.
Course objective
To confront students with the latest ideas about the ongoing discussion about climate change and to show what role palaeobotanical as well as palaeozoological data have in this debate.
Learning objectives
Knowledge of the techniques used to reconstruct the various climatic variables during the last two million years in Europe with help of palaeobotanical and palaeofaunal data;
To be able to apply these techniques on case studies/literature;
Understand (recent) geological climate fluctuations and their relation to present climate change and climate forecasts;
To be able to critically assess research on climate fluctuations, present this and voice one-s own well-argumented opinion;
To be able to write a paper on this subject, with expression of a critically assessment of the literature and one-s own well-argumented opinion.
Method of instruction
Lectures.
Examination
Written examination and presentation.
Required reading
Information about obligatory literature will be given during the first meeting.