This module is an introduction to the analysis, interpretation and presentation of osteoarchaeological assemblages, both human and animal and the application of this knowledge within archaeology and in particular the arena of forensic archaeology.

The module provides students with knowledge and skills necessary to identify, record and interpret human and animal osteological remains in order to reconstruct human activity.  Students will then learn the principles and practice of forensic archaeology when archaeological techniques are used to find, recover and to analyse human skeletal remains and to aid in crime scene interpretation. This course introduces students to the range of methods used in forensic archaeology, from geophysics to human bone analysis, the application of archaeological methods and principles within the constraints and framework of the criminal justice system and considers the role forensic archaeologists can play in criminal investigation. It will also furnish students with skills of identification, analysis and interpretation of zooarchaeological assemblages.

The course will be mixture of lectures and practical classes, allowing both the theory and the methods of analysis to be taught, with students spending one afternoon a week in the laboratory learning bone identification and analysis skills.  In addition, student will be provided with forensic cases (based on archaeological evidence) to be presented in a simulated court trail.  Assessment is based on bone identification tests, the court appearance and a report on osteoarchaeological material. 

There will be the opportunity to use a variety of web-based tutorials and an introduction to web-based resources that support forensic and osteoarchaeology.

• Demonstrate practical abilities required to carry out simple osteological identification and recording
• Demonstrate practical abilities required to carry out the computer aided analysis of osteological data 
• Describe the concepts underpinning osteological recording, analysis and reporting
• Use appropriate language to report osteological and forensic analytical procedures
• Complete and follow H&S requirements
• Link observation to theory
• Produce graphical images to illustrate observations
• Critically evaluate outcomes of osteological and forensic analysis and identify their personal role in achieving these outcomes
• Produce a professional level osteological data report
• Produce, defend and critique a professional level forensic data report

A series of introductory lectures and demonstrations provide an overview of the ethics, rationale and practice of osteological analysis, with emphasis on forensic and zooarchaeological applications.  Teaching centres on implanting the thought patterns of osteological analysis for economic, social and forensic outputs, using discussion of theory and of practical techniques. Underpinning theory is translated into practice via demonstration and student exercises, including student work on osteological assemblages and datasets.  There is a strong element of team work within the module.

Lectures will be balanced with supervised practical classes where students will learn identification techniques and then develop skills in recording, analysis and reporting on a range of osteological material.

Each 10 credit module is regarded by the university as requiring 100 study hours, so for this 20 credit module you should expect to complete at least 200 study hours. It will be necessary to invest a substantial amount of time practising bone identification.

Lectures

10 x 50 minute sessions              

Practical Classes

10 x 180 minute sessions            

• Hands on practical exercises, bone identification and recording
• Team-based exercises in producing identification criteria.
• Team-based exercises in interpreting forensic data

On completion of the module the typical student should know:

• The nature of osteological and forensic analysis
• How to synthesise observation and research
• The basic introductory texts in osteological and forensic literature
• The basic terms and conventions employed in osteoarchaeology and forensic archaeology
• The H&S regulations applicable to osteological analysis
• The ethical considerations involved in the study of human remains

On completion of the module the typical student should understand :

• The aims of osteological bone analysis
• A range of techniques for the analysis and interpretation of osteological assemblages in archaeology and forensic cases
• The concepts and structure of osteological research
• The contribution that individual and demographic studies make to understanding past human populations
• The range of human-animal relationships, and the social and economic roles of animals in human society

• The structure of the criminal justice system and the rules of evidence, disclosure and continuity and scene of crime organisation and hierarchy
• The H&S procedure for osteological laboratories
• The basic concepts of communicating osteological practice to a variety of audiences
• Ethical responsibilities in the study and reporting on human remains

OPPORTUNITIES FOR REASSESSMENT

If a student fails any component of the module, they will be required to submit an additional and equivalent piece of coursework. If a student fails the first report component of the module they will submit a written essay from a set of essay questions. This will normally be 1500 words and will require submission during the summer exam period. If a student fails the second report component of the module they will submit a written essay under a different essay question to the one already attempted. This will normally be 1000 words and will require submission during the summer exam period. If a student fails the identification test component of the module they will submit a written essay under a different essay question to either of the two already attempted. This will normally be 1000 words and will require submission during the summer exam period.

Methods, techniques and interpretative approaches involved in studying both human and animal skeletal remains from archaeological and forensic sites. This course explores the social, cultural, economic, forensic and ethical issues raised by their analysis and interpretation.  The module will introduce the major methodologies employed and provide practical experience in the identification and analysis of vertebrate assemblages (both human and animal).

The range of potential information available from assemblages will be described and students will be taught how to recognise information relating to aging, sexing, palaeopathology and taphonomic changes (fragmentation, butchery, tool marks etc).  Students are taught the interpretive techniques that provide information on animal and human lives (e.g. population density, diet, disease and mortality rates of humans). 

This module also provides an introduction to the discipline of forensic archaeology; that is the application of archaeological methods and principles within the constraints and framework of the criminal justice system.  The application of archaeological techniques in forensic investigations, both in the field (the location and excavation of crime scenes) and in the lab (the application of bioarchaeological and scientific archaeological techniques) is described. The course also includes an introduction to the protocols of scene of crime work and to the criminal justice system generally.

Students will develop their identification, analytical and critical skills supported by the production of a short report on an archaeological data set, practical skill in handling, identifying and recording osteological material and in the presentation and interrogation of forensic data within a court room context.

Abrahams, P.H., Marks, S.C., & Hutchings, R.T. (2002) McMinn's Color Atlas of Human Anatomy. Mosby, London

Bass, W.M. (1992) Human osteology: a laboratory and field manual of the human skeleton. Missouri Archaeological Society, Columbia.

Buikstra, J.E. and Ubelaker, D.H. (1994) Standards for data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains. Arkansas Archaeological Survey Research Series 44. 

Hillson, S. W. (1992) Mammal Bones and Teeth. An Introductory Guide to Methods of Identification. London : Institute of Archaeology & Archetype.

Hillson, S. (2005) Teeth.  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Roberts, C and Manchester, K. (2005) The Archaeology of Disease. Sutton, Gloucester.

Roberts, C.A. (2012). Human remains in archaeology. A handbook. Practical Handbooks in Archaeology No 19. Council for British Archaeology.

Schmid, E. (1972) Atlas of Animal Bones. Amsterdam: Elsevier.

White, T. D. and P. A. Folkens (2005) The Human Bone Manual. Elsevier Academic Press, London.

As this research area is rapidly evolving, this course will demonstrate the use of internet resources. Journal articles are at the core of the disciplines, particularly in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Journal of Archaeological Science, International Journal of Osteoarchaeology and Environmental Archaeology. All of these are  available on-line via the library