Accessibility statement

PalaeoHub Bone Laboratory

The bone lab contains osteological collections for the teaching of human and other vertebrate anatomy in archaeology and zooarchaeology. These collections are a vital resource for students to become familiar with different parts of the skeleton, the differences in bones between species, and the impact of pathology and taphonomic processes on osteological material. The primary human skeletal teaching assemblage consists of 68 skeletons from a medieval monastic cemetery in Southwest England dating to the 12th – 13th centuries. The Palaeohub also holds a research collection of 278 medieval monastic and lay individuals from the Midlands and 57 skeletons and 60 cremation burials dating to the Roman period from a rural cemetery in the southern Midlands.

 

PalaeoHub Material Culture Laboratory

This lab has been custom built for teaching and analysis of all forms of material culture. We have a strong research tradition of working with a range of artefacts, including ceramics, antler technologies, flint and other stone tools, as well as many other artefact types. Our Material Culture lab includes large benches for laying out/studying artefacts, a sink for cleaning artefacts and high tech audio visuals. Students who carry out experimental research outdoors at the nearby YEAR Centre are able to study/process their experimental work inside. We are fast-developing an extensive collection of replica artefacts that can be used for teaching and research purposes and are housed in the adjacent stores.

 

PalaeoHub Microwear Laboratory

Containing low and high power microscopes, including a long distance high power metallurgical microscope for analysing wear traces on large arefacts (e.g. grindstones and pots) as well as a large reference collection of experimentally used replica tools, this laboratory is used for microwear teaching and research.

 

PalaeoHub Computer Laboratory

The computer laboratory contains 15 high-specification computers for research and the teaching of geometric morphometrics and virtual anatomy, and for other computer intensive research.

 

PalaeoHub Imaging Laboratory

This lab contains state-of-the-art equipment for 3D image capture and analysis including high-specification cameras, a structured light surface scanner, and a 3D landmark digitiser.

 

PalaeoHub Dry Materials Laboratory

This lab is used for the preparation and physical experimental testing of bone, artefacts and teeth. The room contains a 3D printer, universal materials testing machine, vacuum oven, surface electromyograph machine (EMG), bite force transducers and a variety of mechanical tools. A new state-of-the-art TableTop SEM-EDS will soon also be housed here.

  

PalaeoHub Wet Materials Laboratory

Animal dissecting room, contains dissecting microscope, chemicals for muscle dissection, fume hoods and all relevant dissecting equipment.

 

PalaeoHub Research and Teaching Stores

Our stores contain extensive reference collections for teaching and research which have been built up over many years, and which includes human and animal bone, and a diverse range of artefacts. For access to these collections, please contact the PalaeoHub Technician and Collections Manager, Becky Knight