Zooarchaeology short courses

The Sheffield Zooarchaeology Team is organising a face-to-face short course, which will take place in April 2024. This course is addressed to archaeology and heritage professionals, students, and enthusiasts alike.

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For more information contact: zooarch-shortcourse@sheffield.ac.uk

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Understanding Zooarchaeology II (2nd-5th/04/2024)

"Understanding Zooarchaeology I" will cover topics such as how to distinguish the bones of different mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

The main aim of Zooarchaeology is to understand the interaction between humans and animals, through the study of animal bone remains from archaeological sites. 

Our four-day course is designed to give participants direct experience of analysing and recording faunal assemblages. Using brief theoretical lessons, case-studies, and practical sessions the course will provide participants with experience of the whole range of knowledge and skills required by the discipline, with the opportunity to write a proper zooarchaeological report.

Understanding Zooarchaeology II is more advance than our foundation course in Zooarchaeology (Understanding Zooarchaeology I) as such, a basic knowledge of Zooarchaeology is required (ability to make basic bone identifications of common animal elements and species).

Timetable (provisional):

Day 1

8.30-9.00

Registration

 

9.00-9.30

Introduction

 

9.30-10.30

Recording an assemblage

Introduction to recording protocol and database, the use of manuals/handouts and the use of the reference collection

10.30-11.00

Coffee break

 

11.00-12.30

Taphonomy

Exploring patterns of taphonomy in an assemblage and interpreting it

12.30-12.45

Case study

 

12.45-1.45

Lunch break

 

1.45-3.15

Recording an assemblage

Practical based on recording taphonomy

3.15-3.45

Coffee break

 

3.45-4.45

Sheep and goat identification

Morphological traits to separate sheep and goat bones in an assemblage

4.45-5.30

Recording an assemblage

Practical based on recording sheep and goat bones

5.30-5.45

End of day 1

Summing up, Q and A overview of day

Day 2

9.00-10.30

Biometry

How and why we use biometry

10.30-11.00

Coffee break

 

11.00-12.00

Biometry

Practical session on biometry

12.30-1.00

Recording an assemblage

Practical work on biometry

1.00-2.00

Lunch break

 

2.00-3.30

Birds

Morphological traits to identify the most common birds in an archaeological assemblage

3.30-4.00

Coffee break

 

4.00-5.15

Recording an assemblage

Practical work on recording birds

5.15-5.30

End of day 2

Summing up, Q and A overview of day

Day 3

8.30-9.00

   

9.00-10.30

Carnivores

Morphological traits to identify the most common carnivores in an archaeological assemblage

10.30-11.00

Coffee break

 

11.00-12.30

Recording an assemblage

Practical work on recording carnivores

12.30-12.45

Case study

 

12.45-1.45

Lunch break

 

1.45-3.15

Deer 

Morphological traits to identify the most common deer species in an archaeological assemblage

3.15-3.45

Coffee break

 

3.45-5.15

Recording an assemblage

Practical work on recording deer species

5.15-5.30

End of day 3

Summing up, Q and A overview of day

 

Day 4

8.30-9.00

   

9.00-10.30

Writing a report/ data analysis

How to write a report? What to consider? How to analyse data? How to present data analysis?

10.30-11.00

Coffee break

 

11.00-12.30

Data analysis

Practical work

12.30-12.45

Case study

 

12.45-1.45

Lunch break

 

1.45-3.15

Digital skills

Introduction into taking photos of bones for reports

3.15-3.45

Coffee break

 

3.45-5.15

Recording an assemblage

Presentation of results to the whole class

5.15-5.30

End of day 4

Summing up, Q and A overview of day

 

Cancellations and refunds

Refund requests should be made by email to zooarch-shortcourse@sheffield.ac.uk, no less than 7 days before the start of the course. We will endeavour to fill the course place, and in the event that a replacement is found a full refund will be made. If a replacement cannot be found a refund of 50% of the course fee will be made for cancellations made more than 7 days before the start of the course. No refund will be made for cancellations made less than 7 days before the course start date.

At the discretion of the course organisers, and in exceptional circumstances, participants that are unable to attend can defer their enrolment until the next Zooarchaeology short course.

If you are experiencing any difficulty please contact us as early as possible.


What People Say About Our Short Courses

…the layout of the course was brilliant. It was great that there was theory followed by practical as it made sure that the theory sessions were not too long and overwhelming

There were a lot of staff members involved… it worked extremely well… It enabled the different topics to be covered by people that have a clear demonstrable passion for their field

…the passion and commitment of the entire department was inspiring. I just want you to continue doing what you are doing. This was my first course and I will be booking others

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