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 Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Readings | Zooarchaeology | Prescribed | Reitz, E. and Wing, E. | CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS |
Readings | Archaeology of animals. | Recommended | Davis, S. | ROUTLEDGE, 2005 |
Readings | Australian Zooarchaeology | Recommended | LUNA-Insight image database: www.lib.latrobe.edu.au | LA TROBE UNIVERSITY |
Readings | The archaeology of animal bones | Recommended | O'Connor, T | SUTTON, 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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