Prospectus

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Bioarchaeology

Course
2023-2024

Admission requirements

None.

Description

Bioarchaeology is the study of all biological materials found in archaeological context in order to provide information about human life in the past including palaeo-economic, palaeo-environmental realms or evolutionary trends.

The main aim of the course is to provide insights into diverse theoretical and analytical approaches and methodologies to the study of bioarchaeology, as well as to advance your knowledge on how to interpret bioarchaeological data from various sources.

In this course, we will discuss some general principles, but the focus will be on the analysis and interpretation of botanical, zoological and human skeletal data.

Course set-up

  • Two lectures a week;

  • (Non-assessed) assignments/quizzes on Brightspace (compulsory).

Course objectives

  • Gain knowledge of the basic principles of taxonomy;

  • Gain knowledge of the (palaeo)biological techniques used to reconstruct landscapes, palaeo-environments and palaeo-climate;

  • Gain knowledge of how to use plant fossil and animal assemblages to make palaeo-environmental reconstructions, consider diet, and diverse human activities;

  • Gain basic knowledge on how to excavate, sample and treat bioarchaeological remains;

  • Gain knowledge of the human skeleton and osteoarchaeological techniques used to estimate sex, age-at-death, and stature;

  • Gain knowledge on the ethical considerations associated with human skeletal remains;

  • Ability to interpret and critically evaluate diverse types of bioarchaeological data.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button.

Mode of instruction

Lectures.

Assessment method

  • One final written exam at the end of the course (2 hours).

All quizzes and assignments have to be completed before the exam can be taken.

A retake of the exam is only possible in case of a fail (in compliance with our teaching rules and regulations) and only when all assignments have been completed.

Assessment deadlines

All assessment deadlines (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button. To view the assessment deadline(s), make sure to select the course with a code ending in T and/or R.

Deadlines for assignments can be found on Brightspace.

Reading list

To be published on Brightspace.

Registration

Enrolment for all components of your study programme through MyStudymap. is mandatory. This applies to both compulsory elements and elective credits. If you are not enrolled, you may not participate.

General information about registration can be found on the Course and exam enrolment page.

Exchange and Study Abroad students, please contact the exchange coordinator for information on how to apply.

All information for those who are interested in taking this course as a Contractstudent is on the Contractonderwijs Archeologie webpage (in Dutch).

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact dr. L. (Laura) Llorente Rodriguez.

Remarks

None.