Compulsory attendance
-
Prerequisites and restrictions
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.
Learning outcomes
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;
Ability to apply these techniques on case studies/literature;
Understand (recent) geological climate fluctuations and their relation to present climate change and climate forecasts;
Ability to critically assess research on climate fluctuations, present this and voice one’s own properly argumented opinion;
Ability to write a paper on this subject, with expression of a critical assessment of the literature and one’s own properly argumented opinion.
Mode of delivery
Lectures.
Assessment
Written examination;
Presentation.
Reading list
To be announced.
Time schedule
Course schedule details can be found in the MA time schedule.