MSc Osteoarchaeology

Dr Umberto Albarella, u.albarella@sheffield.ac.uk

This programme combines the study of human and animal bones from archaeological sites. These are generally known as 'human osteology' and 'zooarchaeology' or 'archaeozoology'. It gives the students the opportunity to focus on either, or both, research specialisms. The teaching is centred on the explanation of methods and theoretical approaches that can be used to address many different types of archaeological questions, regardless of the period or geographic area. The teaching will consist of both lab-based practical sessions and theoretical lectures. Students will benefit from exposure to leading research teams in both human and animal bones and will have the opportunity to engage in discussions with postgraduate and postdoctoral students and staff, both inside and outside the classroom. Students will play an active part in the shaping of their own programme of study and they will also have the opportunity to develop their own original research. Due to the prominence of the Sheffield research environment and its track-record in teaching and training, graduates from this programme will be in a prime position to continue their education or seek employment with research, educational or commercial organisations.

Programme Structure

Eight core modules provide you with the key training in and understanding of Osteoarchaeology -

Human Osteology 15 credits

lectures and laboratory practicals are used to provide you with a detailed
examination of the human skeleton including structure and function of the
skeleton, identification of bones and teeth, musculoskeletal markers, and
criteria for distinguishing between human and faunal remains.

Biological Anthropology I 15 credits

lectures, seminars and laboratory practicals on topics including the
taphonomy of human remains, the determination of age and sex, skeletal
growth and metrical variation, non-metric traits, bone microstructure and
chemistry, and ethical issues in the scientific study of human remains .

Method and Theory in Archaeozoology 15 credits

laboratory practical classes provide you with skills in the identification
and quantification of faunal remains: skeletal methods of ageing and sexing,
recognition of evidence for butchery, pathology and taphonomic processes. A
series of seminars (on, for example, sampling strategies and recovery
techniques, past husbandry and carcass utilization practices, and the
integration of evidence for plant and animal exploitation) situate these
skills and knowledge in the context of past human practice

Economic Archaeology 15 credits

A lecture-based module analysing the origins, spread and evolution of
farming; the role of exchange, trade and markets; subsistence and
socio-political structure; archaeological reconstruction of diet, land-use,
plant and animal husbandry; the impact of urbanization; and other subjects.
It is integrated by a series of tutorials selecting a particular suite of
topics.

Biological Anthropology II 15 credits

using lectures and tutorials students explore in detail the principal
approaches by which knowledge of human skeletal variation can be applied to
questions of human growth and development, functional anatomy, biological
evolution, population affinities, palaeodemography, dietary reconstruction
and changing responses to disease.

Advanced Zooarchaeology 15 credits

all key zooarchaeological areas are touched upon but more complex aspects of
methods and their applications than those taught in the foundation module
will be presented and discussed. This module moves the teaching gradually
towards full training. It is based on a variety of hands-on sessions,
lectures, seminars and discussion groups.

Biomolecular Archaeology 15 credits

The module provides a broad introduction to the applications of biomolecular
methods to the identification of biological materials in archaeology and to
the investigation of questions concerning the evolution, artificial
selection, diet, demography and disease of past organisms. It provides you
with an advanced and current understanding of the theory and methods of
biomolecular archaeology, as applied to research questions in human
osteoarchaeology, zooarchaeology and archaeobotany.

Osteoarchaeological assemblage analysis 15 credits

This module consists of the study of an osteoarchaeological assemblage,
which is undertaken individually by students, but with supervision. The
students can choose between a human and animal bone assemblage. The students
are first introduced to their tasks and parallel case studies, and then
design a recording system, record the material, analyse the data and
eventually interpret, write them up and present them to the rest of the
class.

Finally, you complete a 60-credit dissertation on a subject of your choice. You can use this as a platform for the further study of topics/issues in your doctoral research, or simply to advance your knowledge and understanding of a key topic in osteoarchaeology.