Studying Bones – An Introduction to Osteoarchaeology (SB)
Archaeologists use the science of osteology, the study of bones, to help them understand the past. It has provided information about human evolution; the interaction of humans with animals in hunter-gatherer societies; the domestication of animals and the effect this had on humans; and animal husbandry, human demographics and health in archaeological assemblages representing more recent periods.
This course will start with the basics – an introduction to comparative skeletal anatomy of humans and different types of animals. This will involve practical, ‘hands on’, work on the identification and recording of bones, both human and animal, which have been excavated at Sedgeford.
Evolution, hunter-gathering, and the introduction of farming in the Neolithic period will then be the subjects of seminar discussions. This will be followed by studies of the ‘secondary products revolution’ and animal husbandry in the Mid/Late Anglo-Saxon period.
These sessions will, once again, involve practical work. We will use the ford archive, including bone artefacts, to take a close look at how human and animal assemblages and associated material finds can be interpreted.
N.B. This course uses similar material to other SHARP human remains
and animal bone courses. Potential attendees at this course who have
previously attended either must expect some repetition. This is
probably not an appropriate course for those who have previously
attended both.