Syllabi  /  Zooarchaeology 

 

Anthropology 10/24.3

Introduction to Zooarchaeology

 

Professor Sophia Perdikaris
sophiap@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Introduction

This course attempts to serve two communities of students: those few who want to devote their careers to zooarchaeology, and the many more who want to become more informed users of animal bone data. Zooarchaeology or faunal analysis has been one of the fastest growing subdisciplines within anthropological archaeology. In this course the major methods and techniques used in the field will be examined. Special attention will be given to domestication, trade, economy, social status, measurements, ageing, sexing, pathology, taphonomy and the use of faunal remains in paleoeconomic reconstructions and the study of complex societies.

Required Texts

The following text has been ordered at the university bookstore:

1. Elizabeth Reitz and Elizabeth Wing
Zooarchaeology

Suggested Texts

1. B. M .Gilbert
Mammalian Osteology
 
2. James Rackham
Animal Bones
The following manuals will be avaliable for use in lab:
1. Driesch, Angela von den (1976)
The Measurement of Animal Bones from Archaeological Sites. Peabody Museum Bulletin No. 1, Harvard University.
 
2. Schmid, Elisabeth (1972)
Atlas of Animal Bones: For Prehistorians, Archaeologists and Quaternary Geologists. Elsevier Publishing Company. Amsterdam, London, New York.

Course Requirements:

  1. Preparation of a small vertebrate, fish or bird to add to the Bioarchaeology Laboratory comparative collections. Please consult with the course instructor before preparing your specimen. The clean, labeled and measured specimen is due the last day of class.
  2. Completion of all laboratory assignments and homework (ie. Weekly specimen identification and article summaries).
  3. Mid-term exam and practical. 
  4. A final exam. The final exam will include two essay questions and a list of 10 bones to be identified. The bones will be made available for study 1 week before the due date of the exam. 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a hands-on laboratory course, and to take full advantage of it you will definitely need to put in some additional time outside of class in the Lab. 

DON'T MISS the lab orientation session, when you will learn how to use the Bioarchaeology Laboratory and be issued your lab packs.

Incomplete and make-ups will not be granted. Exception will be made for special circumstances. Please see me well ahead of time if you are having problems. Attendance is mandatory.