Archaeozoology 3101-DB211A
The main aim of the classes is to present the possibilities of using animal bone remains from archaeological sites as a source of information about animal economy and meat consumption in the past. During the classes students are trained in the following skills:
zoological and anatomical analysis of European livestock and wild animal bone remains;
establishing the age and sex of animals;
establishing the morphotype of animals;
identifying pathological bone changes;
identifying taphonomic (biostratinomic and diagenetic) marks on bones and their origin.
Students are also familiarised with methods of identification of osteological material and basic procedures used to describe the features of animals. Students acquire the skills using the comparative collection assembled in the Zooarchaeology Classroom and on the basis of publications covering the procedures.
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
Class attendance
Papers and multimedia presentations
Final rating – the average of partial assessments
Assessment criteria
Credits will be awarded on the basis of:
1. written assignment which will be an account of archaeozoological analysis of animal remains assemblage described by all the students during classes
2. practical test which will involve individual identification of a small assemblage of animal bones and teeth. Students will be able to use the comparative collection and didactic materials, such as keys for identification of remains of different animal taxa.
Attendance and active participation in the classes will also be taken into consideration.
Bibliography
Binford L. R., Bones. Ancient Man and Modern Myth, New York, 1981
Lasota-Moskalewska A., Archeozoologia, Warszawa 2008
Lymman R. L., Vertebrate Taphonomy, Cambridge 1994
Reitz E.J., Wing E, S., Zooarchaeology, Cambridge 2008
Wojtal P., Zooarcheological studies of the Late Pleistocene sites in Poland, Kraków 2007
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: