36
Anthropology
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives (2)
- To acquire in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the main research topics in physical anthropology, with special emphasis on the variability and bio-cultural adaptations of past human populations.
- To acquire skills for the analysis of skeletal samples of archaeological provenance.
Knowledge and understanding
- Knowledge and understanding of the main theoretical perspectives of anthropology
- Knowledge of the proper use of anthropological research methodologies for the investigation of ancient societies
- Ability to use scientific literature, including in foreign languages
- Knowledge and understanding of the complexity and pluralism of the ancient world in a spatial and chronological sense
- Knowledge and understanding of issues related to different forms of interaction between human societies and the environment
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
- Ability to independently and originally rework and apply acquired knowledge to reconstruct cultural, anthropological, and social phenomena by proposing a correct representation and interpretation
- Ability to independently and originally rework and apply scientific methods of anthropology
- Ability to independently and originally rework and apply the interpretative techniques and strategies of various types according to the objective to be achieved
- Ability to elaborate and apply, in an autonomous and original way, a multidisciplinary approach, distinguishing the areas of use of technologies and natural sciences in dialogue with archaeology
- Ability to elaborate and apply, in an autonomous and original way, the knowledge and methodologies acquired, to operate in different fields, identifying the constituent elements and characterizing features of bioanthropological phenomena
Communication skills
- Achieve full mastery of communication in written, oral, and by multimedia products
- To acquire in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the main research topics in physical anthropology, with special emphasis on the variability and bio-cultural adaptations of past human populations.
- To acquire skills for the analysis of skeletal samples of archaeological provenance.
Course Prerequisites
None
Teaching Methods (2)
In addition to lectures with constant use of PowerPoint presentations, the lectures will also include:
- Presentation and discussion of articles on specific bioarchaeology topics
- Practical exercises on bone and tooth recognition
- Practical exercises on methods of determining sex and age at death
- Practical exercises on detection of odonto-skeletal indicators for reconstruction of lifestyles and health status of past communities
- Exercises on survey and statistical analysis of quantitative and qualitative variables
In addition to lectures with constant use of PowerPoint presentations, the lessons will also include:
- Presentation and discussion of articles on specific bioarchaeology topics
- Practical exercises on bone and tooth recognition
- Practical exercises on methods of determining sex and age at death
- Practical exercises on detection of odonto-skeletal indicators for reconstruction of lifestyles and health status of past communities
- Exercises on survey and statistical analysis of quantitative and qualitative variables
Assessment Methods
Oral examination on the topics of the textbook, with the requirement to also prepare a PowerPoint and a short essay (4-5 pages) from the study reading of an article to be chosen from a selection of articles indicated by the teacher
Texts (2)
Canci e Minozzi
Archeologia dei resti umani.
Dallo scavo al laboratorio.
Carrocci editore
Mandatory
White e Folkens
The Human Bone Manual
Academic Press
Optional
Canci e Minozzi
Archeologia dei resti umani.
Dallo scavo al laboratorio.
Carrocci editore
Mandatory
White e Folkens
The Human Bone Manual
Academic Press
Optional
Contents (2)
The course is specifically designed for archaeology students who wish to gain knowledge about the study of human skeletal remains from funerary contexts.
Indeed, their study is essential for a deeper understanding of how ancient societies related to death and what the rules, conventions, and exceptions might have been in the funerary treatment of the deceased.
Analyses of various observable markers on bones and teeth can also describe the biographies of individuals and help reconstruct their social roles and life styles.
The course will specifically address the different lines of inquiry in anthropology and how these can complement and support funerary archaeology.
The course is specifically designed for archaeology students who wish to gain knowledge about the study of human skeletal remains from funerary contexts.
Indeed, their study is essential for a deeper understanding of how ancient societies related to death and what the rules, conventions, and exceptions might have been in the funerary treatment of the deceased.
Analyses of various observable markers on bones and teeth can also describe the biographies of individuals and help reconstruct their social roles and life styles.
The course will specifically address the different lines of inquiry in anthropology and how these can complement and support funerary archaeology.
Topics
- Introduction to the discipline: history, methods and perspectives
- Skeletal anatomy
- Dental anthropology
- Determination of sex and age at death
- Hints of paleodemography
- Funerary archaeology and taphonomy
- Anthropological analysis of cremated remains
- Osteometry
- Paleopathology
- The reconstruction of paleodietals
- Paleogenetics
- Study of human migration and mobility
- On the nonexistence of human races
Course Language (2)
Italian
Italian