Advanced Zooarchaeology

Module title	Advanced Zooarchaeology
Module code	ARCM403
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Carly Ameen (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		10

Number students taking module (anticipated)	15

Module description

Zooarchaeology is the study of past human interactions with animals through the analysis of faunal remains from archaeological sites. This module focuses on the methods that Professional zooarchaeologists use to identify faunal remains and interpret what they mean. It involves learning to identify the bones and teeth of the most significant wild and domestic animal species (mammals, birds and fish) commonly found in Britain. It will explore how to establish past human patterns of hunting, farming and social interaction. Course content will contain practical engagement with archaeological animal bones and the standards of reporting used in professional zooarchaeology.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module will provide training in the practice of zooarchaeology, giving competence in the techniques of observation, recording and interpretation. You will attain competence in the identification and recording of bones from some common animal species and will gain an understanding of how to analyse such data.

Specifically, this module aims:

• To provide students with in-depth experience of analysis and recording in zooarchaeology by working directly with archaeological animal bones

• To train students in relevant professional norms and guidelines within zooarchaeology, particularly the expected content and format of technical reports.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Use terms and conventions commonly employed in zooarchaeology
2. Demonstrate competence in the identification and recording of the bones and teeth from key animal species
3. Prepare and interpret zooarchaeological data
4. Critically appreciate the ways in which animal bone assemblages can tell us about past cultures, economies and environment in different archaeological periods

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. Show initiative in interpreting a variety of information forms
6. Assimilate/manage numerical and graphical data
7. Deploy data from technical reports

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

8. Manage data and display it graphically
9. Acquire a range of observational and analytical skills which are applicable in the wider world
10. Ask pertinent questions, contribute to group discussions, and co-operate with and learn from peers

Syllabus plan

In this module students will analyse a corpus of zooarchaeological material from scratch, applying appropriate analytical methods to produce a technical report that meets professional standards in Zooarchaeology. You will be provided with a suitable assemblage to study, the necessary laboratory facilities and reference materials, and expert guidance from the module convenor and relevant staff.

This module is based on students’ independent practical work, with staff providing guidance and support rather than leading traditional classes each week. In the first session the archaeological assemblage and the expected content and structure of a technical zooarchaeological report will be introduced. A further workshop will provide additional guidance on production of tables, figures, and statistical analyses for your report. The reminder of the time will be spent on self-guided analysis of the animal bone assemblage.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
5	145	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	5	Made up of approximately 5 hours of guided practical engagement with archaeological bone material.
Guided Independent Study	145	Independent team work on the identification, recording and analysis of a zooarchaeological assemblage. 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
Tutorial discussion	0.25 hours	4, 10	Oral feedback in tutorial

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
Contribution to (and quality of) identification and recording	30	Equivalent to 1000 words, including 200 words of critical reflection.	2, 9	Mark and Written feedback
Project: professional zooarchaeological report	70	3000 words	1, 3-9	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
Contribution to (and quality of) identification and recording (Equivalent to 1000 words, including 200 words of critical reflection.)	Bone species and element identification Skills test (30%)	2, 9	Referral/Deferral period
Project: professional zooarchaeological report (3000 words)	Project: professional zooarchaeological report (3000 words) (70%)	1, 3-9	Referral/Deferral 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

Cohen, A. and Serjeantson, D. (1996) A Manual for the Identification of Bird Bones from Archaeological Sites. London: Archetype.
Davis, S.J.M. (1987). The Archaeology of Animals. London: Batsford
Dobney, K.M., Jaques, S.D. and Irving, B.G. (1995). Of Butchers and Breeds: report on the vertebrate remains from the City of Lincoln. Lincoln: Lincoln Archaeological Studies 5.
Driesch A.E. von den (1976). A Guide to the Measurement of Animal Bones from Archaeological Sites. Peabody Museum Bulletin 1.
Legge, A.J. and Rowley-Conwy, P.A. (1988). Star Carr Revisited. London: Centre for Extra Mural Studies.
Lyman, R.L. (1994) Vertebrate Taphonomy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Outram, AK and Bogaard, A. (2019) Subsistence and Society in Prehistory: New Directions in Economic Prehistory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Reitz, E.J. and Wing, E.A. (2008) Zooarchaeology (2^nd Ed.).Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Rowley-Conwy, P.A. Ed. (2000) Animal Bones, Human Societies. Oxford: Oxbow Monographs.
Sykes, N. (2014) Beastly Questions: Animal Answers to Archaeological Issues. London; Bloomsbury.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11099

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Departmental animal bone reference collection
Computer aided learning materials for animal bone identification

Key words search

Zooarchaeology, Taphonomy, Animals, Zoology

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	ARC2504 (or equivalent from another institution)
Module co-requisites	ARCM407 ONLY if pre-requisite above not met
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	2011
Last revision date	29/01/2025