arc3zoo archaeology of animals

THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF ANIMALS

ARC3ZOO

Not currently offered

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Understanding the interaction between people and animals is vital for explaining past social, political and economic systems from the earliest times to the present day. Morphological changes occur within long-term climatic cycles and therefore we need to understand the processes that influence the trajectory of skeletal change. In addition to this people and animals undergo changes to their skeleton from disease, nutrition, work load, environmental stress and domestication. This information is gleaned from studying a range of different zooarchaeological contexts. These include burials and cemeteries, middens, cave and bony remains from other well-preserved sites. Techniques of analysis for interpreting health, diet, butchery practices, seasonal exploitation, ageing and sex of skeletal remains will be a focus of this subject, as well as the use of quantitative techniques. This subject has a strong practical element and students will learn about the main animal species found archaeologically in southeastern Australia.

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorRichard Cosgrove

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites 15 credit points of Archaeology subjects or Coordinator's approval

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects ARC2ZOO

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsZooarchaeologyPrescribedReitz, E. and Wing, E.CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
ReadingsArchaeology of animals.RecommendedDavis, S.ROUTLEDGE, 2005
ReadingsAustralian ZooarchaeologyRecommendedLUNA-Insight image database: www.lib.latrobe.edu.auLA TROBE UNIVERSITY
ReadingsThe archaeology of animal bonesRecommendedO'Connor, TSUTTON, 2000

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Identify major differences between faunal remains and discuss theoretical approaches to zooarchaeological analysis

Activities:
one 1-hour examination
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

02. Use archaeological materials such as bones and reference animal skeletons to compile a large database. Use statistics to compare and contrast these assemblages

Activities:
one 1,000-word workshop presentation
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

03. Write a major essay using Harvard referencing system and a range of journal articles

Activities:
one 2,000-word essay
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

04. Submit multiple choice questions to the PeerView website that demonstrate reserach abilities and thoughful responses to peer reviewers

Activities:
Submit 5 multiple choice questions
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

Subject options

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