Studying at York
Interpreting Animal Remains - ARC00032M
- Department: Archaeology
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module summary
In this module we explore and discuss the many and varied archaeological questions to which animal remains can contribute, from Palaeolithic hunting to post-medieval trade, taking in topics such as domestication, environmental impact, and the cultural roles of animals along the way. We take a broad view of zooarchaeology, incorporating biomolecular approaches alongside conventional osteology.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
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To demonstrate the potential contribution of zooarchaeology, in the broadest sense, to understanding past human societies in a wide range of contexts.
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To provide students with a knowledge-base of case studies in zooarchaeological interpretation, covering the Palaeolithic to the present day and spanning much of the world.
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To enable and encourage students to read published interpretations of animal remains with a critical eye.
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To provide students with the necessary knowledge and confidence to recommend appropriate analytical approaches to specific animal bone assemblages.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should:
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Be familiar with the interpretation of zooarchaeological data (including biomolecular data) in a wide range of contexts and using a range of approaches.
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Be aware of the strengths and limitations of those approaches.
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Understand the contribution of animal remains to various key issues in archaeology and beyond.
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Be able critically to evaluate published zooarchaeological studies, including those based on biomolecular techniques.
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Be able to assess the potential of zooarchaeological assemblages or datasets for future research, and recommend appropriate approaches.
Module content
The module’s eight weeks take us from evidence for past hunting strategies, through the study of domestication and herding practices, to the role of animal bones in complex societies, organised religion, and urban settlements. Along the way, seminars are dedicated to zooarchaeological contributions within exciting topics such as island archaeology, the archaeology of food, and contemporary biodiversity conservation. In addition, a research simulation workshop towards the end of term allows students to recreate the entire zooarchaeological research process in the context of a fictional Neolithic excavation in Turkey: developing research questions, applying sampling strategies, and analysing and interpreting results.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Timing of written and verbal feedback is published on our deadlines pages:
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Feedback will be available within 6 weeks
Indicative reading
Russell, N. 2012. Social Zooarchaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Steele, T. 2015. The contributions of animal bones from archaeological sites: the past and future of zooarchaeology. Journal of Archaeological Science 56: 168-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2015.02.036
Sykes, N. 2014. Beastly Questions. London: Bloomsbury.