AR3S21-Biological anthropology

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: AR2F16 Introduction to Human Osteoarchaeology
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Ceri Falys
Email: c.g.falys@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This hands-on, highly vocational module will introduce you to the key methods employed by human bone specialists (bioarchaeologists/biological anthropologists) in the examination of human remains, from their excavation, to the estimation of age, sex, stature and common pathologies. Through problem-based learning you will also develop the skills to identify adult and child human material encountered during an archaeological excavation and post-excavation analysis. The contribution data derived from human skeletal remains makes to our understanding of the past will be emphasised. The module will culminate in the production of a professional-style human bone report.

Aims:

This module will introduce you to the key methods employed by human bone specialists in the examination of human remains. You will learn to identify human from non-human remains, assign a sex, age and stature to an individual skeleton, and to identify common pathologies (e.g. dental diseases, osteoarthritis, trauma). You will also be taught to identify bone fragments commonly encountered during an archaeological excavation. The contribution the analysis of human skeletal remains makes to our understanding of the past will be emphasised. Your weekly analysis will culminate in the production of a professional-style human bone report.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that you will be able to:

• evaluate the nature and quality of skeletal evidence, and explain how it can be used to infer mortuary behaviour as well as aspects of the life of past societies


• identify both adult and non-adult human skeletal remains and teeth, intact or fragmentary


• assign an age, sex and stature estimate to adult human remains


• identify normal from pathologicalchanges to the skeleton

Additional outcomes:

During the module you will have the opportunity to develop the following key skills which have been identified as desirable by graduate employers:

Use of IT - you can develop your IT skills on this module through the creative use of high quality images in your coursework. Researching background information on historic populations should also develop your skills in utilising a range of databases and online search engines.

Numeracy skills - individual aspects of the coursework, e.g. calculating final adult stature, will give you the opportunity to develop your basic numeracy skills.

Analysis skills - you will be able to develop your analytical skills through examining and recording human skeletal remains, both directly in the practical classes and through associated library reading and research.

Literacy and use of English - you will have the opportunity to develop your written literacy skills through the written coursework.

Team working - you will have the opportunity to develop your team working skills throughout this module, in the practical classes.

Problem solving - you will be exposed to a range of problems on this module, e.g. how to record, visualise, analyse and interpret skeletal material. You will have the opportunity to consider how others have tried to resolve these problems, and to directly explore the solutions yourselves, primarily in the practical classes but also through your follow-up reading and completion of the course work.

Communication skills - there are various opportunities to develop your oral and written communication skills on this module: primarily through the practical classes (in discussions with your fellow students and with the teaching staff), but also through the written coursework.

Self-management/resilience - as will all of your Part 3 studies, successfully completing this module will require you to schedule and manage in-class practical work, background reading, and preparing for and meeting your assignment deadlines.

The specific skills you learn here adhere to the professional standards for Osteologists outlined by CIFA and the British Association of Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology.

Outline content:

Over 8 weeks you will learn the methods required to undertake a preservation assessment, provide a sex and age estimation, calculate stature and record dental disease and any other pathological lesions. Each week an instructional illustrated lecture is followed by laboratory sessions where you will apply the methods. The final weeks of the module are dedicated to an in-class test designed for you to assess your ability to identify fragmentary remains and apply key osteological skills, and tothe production of a professional-style osteology report.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Each session will comprise a one-hour introductory lecture followed by a practical where methods outlined in the lecture will be applied to an adult skeleton. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	9
Practicals classes and workshops	20
Work-based learning	9
Guided independent study:	162
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	80
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Practical Test (20%): Week 10

You will sit a one-hour test, under exam conditions, in the laboratory to assess your ability to identify fragmentary remains and to apply general anthropological techniques.

Skeletal Report (80%): Week 11

Throughout the module, you are expected to fill in a detailed recording form. This form will provide the basis for a professional report (max. 3000 words) that will outline the methods and results and attempt to place the skeleton within its biocultural context.

Formative assessment methods:

Each week you will receive one-to-one feedback on your work within the lab. There will also be an informal ‘Fragment-of-the-week’ quiz where you can assess your ability to identify fragments in comparison to your peers. This will allow you to assess your skills development as the module progresses and help you prepare for the in-class test.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall 

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment of coursework in August/September 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 22 September 2022