The lectures focus on the interdisciplinary study of the behaviour of our close fossil relatives the Neanderthals. The questions to be addressed are for example: how did Neanderthals make a living? How much energy did a Neanderthal female need? Why are there no middle paleolithic ‘hut structures’? Why does middle paleolithic technology change at a different rate than upper paleolithic technology? To investigate these issues we will draw on the biology of behavior, physical anthropology, isotope studies, mathematical modeling as well as the archaeology of Pleistocene Europe.
Admission requirements
Propedeuse.
Learning objectives
*Knowledge of key-issues in palaeolithic archaeology (use of space, subsistence and technological change); *To be able to define these key-issues and give an overview of the changes through time in the particular key-issues; *Insight in the use of interdisciplinary studies like biology of behavior, physical anthropology, isotope studies and mathematical modeling in addition to archaeology; *To be able to combine different sources of information for answering issues discussed in the lectures and/or literature; *Development of academic skills: critical reading and analyses of an article (key-arguments, pro’s and contra’s of the author’s opinion, etc.), to be able to formulate one’s own well argumented opinion, academic writing. ### Method of instruction
Lectures.
Examination
Essays + exam (short open questions).
Required reading
List of scientific papers; R.Boyd & J.Silk (2003) How humans evolved, London/New York: Norton & co (3rd or 4th ed.) is recommended as background reading.