Advanced Zooarchaeology
| Module title | Advanced Zooarchaeology |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARCM403 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Alan Outram (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 5 |
|---|
Module description
The module aims to provide a sophisticated appreciation of the theory and practice of zooarchaeology and how bone assemblages can be interpreted to give us a fuller picture of past societies, economies and environments in different archaeological periods.
Module aims - intentions of the module
You will develop a number of practical analytical skills needed in the advanced practice of zooarchaeology and extend basic identification skills to non-mammal species.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Critically understand advanced theoretical concepts of zooarchaeology
- 2. Use appropriate terms and conventions employed in archaeology
- 3. Demonstrate competence in a range of analytical methods employed on the remains of key mammal and bird species
- 4. Interpret advanced zooarchaeological data to an advanced level
- 5. Critically evaluate different approaches to zooarchaeology and how they lead to interpretations of the past environments and ways of life
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Show initiative in interpreting a wide variety of information forms
- 7. Assimilate/manage numerical and graphical data
- 8. Deploy sophisticated data from technical reports
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Manage data and display it graphically
- 10. Acquire a range of observational and analytical skills which are applicable in the wider world
- 11. Ask pertinent questions, contribute to group discussions, and co-operate with and learn from peers
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Introduction to module and assessments
Advanced Zooarchaeology Methods:
- Metrical analysis and use of Geometric Morphometrics
- Fracture and fragmentation analysis
- Recording butchery, pathology and bone modifications
- Analysing birds, fish and molluscs
Thematic Topics:
- Reconstructing hunting patterns
- Animal domestication
- Secondary products
- Bones as material culture
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 117 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 33 | Made up of approximately 11 hours of lecture and live discussion content, approximately 11 hours of seminar discussion and 11 hours of guided practical engagement with archaeological bone material. |
| Guided independent study | 117 | Independent study using computer aided learning and reference resources regarding bone identification |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar participation | Ongoing | 11 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 40 | 2000 words plus illustrations | 1-10 | Mark and written feedback |
| Project analysing zooarchaeological data | 60 | 2000 words plus illustrations and graphs | 1-10 | Mark and written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay 2000 words plus illustrations | 1-10 | Ref/Def period |
| Project | Project 2000 words plus illustrations | 1-10 | Ref/Def period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Reitz, E.J. and Wing, E.A. (2008). Zooarchaeology 2 nd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Cohen, A. and Serjeantson, D. 1996 A manual for the identification of bird bones from archaeological sites. London: Archetype.
- Driesch A.E. von den (1976). A Guide to the Measurement of Animal Bones from Archaeological Sites. Peabody Museum Bulletin 1.
- Lyman, R.L. (1994). Vertebrate Taphonomy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Mulville, J and Outram, A.K. (eds) (2005) The Zooarchaeology of Fats, Oils, Milk and Dairying. Oxford: Oxbow Books.
- Zeder, M. et al. (eds) (2006) Documenting Domestication. Berkeley: University of Califormia Press.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | ARC2504 or ARCM407 (or equivalent from another institution) |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 2011 |
| Last revision date | 19/08/2020 |
