Bio-Archaeology

Pre-requisites: None

Course objectives: To introduce students to analytical opportunities when studying skeletal remains in their archaeological context. Also, to introduce students to the newest biomolecular and chemical bone analysis, so the candidates may use some of them in their personal research.

Course description: Reconstruction of the way of life, food, physical activities of the ancient population, based on their skeletal remains. The students will have to review data that has been obtained through skeletal analysis, in its archaeological context.

Learning Outcomes: Essay and oral examination

Literature/Reading:

• Larsen, C. S. 2002. Bioarchaeology-interpreting behavior from the human skeleton. Cambridge University Press., Cambridge.
• Larsen, C. S. 1987. Bioarchaeological interpretations of subsistence economy and behavior from human skeletal remains. In Schiffer, M. B. (ed.), Advances in Archaeological Method and Theory, Vol. 10,
• Larsen, C. S. 1995. Biological changes in human populations with agriculture. Annual Review of Anthropology 24: 185–213.
• Larsen, C. S.1997. Bioarchaeology: Interpreting Behavior From the Human Skeleton, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
• Larsen, C. S. 2000. Skeletons in Our Closet: Revealing Our Past Through Bioarchaeology, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Mays, S. 1998. The archaeology of human bones, London-New York: Routledge.