Introduction to Post-Excavation Processing and Recording with Osteology

Module Details

Module Code: n/a
Full Title: Introduction to Post-Excavation Processing and Recording with Osteology
Valid From:: Semester 2 - 2019/20 ( February 2020 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 7.5
Module Owner:: Conor Brady
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: This module aims to provide participants with a preliminary ‘hands-on’ experience of archaeological post-excavation processing and analysis and includes an introduction to the processing and recording of human remains. It aims to give students an understanding of the principles of the post-excavation process and other aspects of archaeological analysis of artefacts, ecofacts and human bone remains. It also aims to give practical experience of participating in post-excavation processing, documentation and preliminary analysis with a particular focus on human bone. Students will undertake post-excavation processing of artefacts, samples and human bone retrieved during excavation, and will receive training in the work and recording procedures applicable to this stage of the excavation process. This module will normally be delivered in an intensive four-week block during the summer.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Apply all routine post-excavation protocols and procedures including those relating the the processing of human bone
MLO2 Categorise and date a wide range of archaeologically excavated artefacts including human skeletal remains
MLO3 Formulate an appropriate approach to the processing and initial recording of excavated artefacts, environmental samples and human bone
MLO4 Conduct a preliminary classification of excavated artefacts, environmental samples and human bone with a view to appropriate storage and further specialist analysis
MLO5 Synthesise data from each element within the site archive to facilitate the production of preliminary interpretations particularly those relating to the recording of burials and human bone
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Archaeological excavation methodologies
Single context recording. Designing methodologies based on research aims, and appropriate to site types and feature types. Implications for post-excavation analysis. Importance of input/direction from specialists in research design.
Archaeological recording methodologies
Importance of thoroughness and accuracy in all approaches to recording, on-site and off-site during the post-excavation process. Recording strategies to be created in consultation with specialists.
Site records
Recording features using context/feature record sheets. On-site photography. On-site database entry and maintenance. Creation and management of a site archive. Importance in post-excavation process
Finds and samples
Identifying, drawing , recording, processing and database entry for finds and samples. Liaising with specialists to determine the potential for palaeoenvironmental analysis, radio carbon dating and other specialist analysis. Importance of communication with range of specialists.
Basic human osteology
The bones of the human skeleton, along with techniques for identifying and siding them, will be introduced in lectures. Practical experience in applying these techniques will be gained by cleaning, reconstructing, and cataloguing excavated bones in the laboratory.
Introduction to human skeletal analysis
Presentation of the types of data that can be recorded for human skeletal remains, including age and sex, paleopathology, and biological distance.
Introduction to osteoarchaeological research
Lectures and discussion will provide an overview of research questions and project design in osteoarchaeology. Topics will include health and disease, migration and conquest, and sex and gender identities.
Production and submission of final excavation report.
Publication of summary accounts. Publication of detailed report with results of all specialist analyses. Full interpretation.
Legal Responsibilities
The legal context governing archaeological material in Ireland. The role of the National Monuments Service, the National Museum of Ireland. Particular emphasis on ethical considerations of excavating and processing human remains.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full Time On Campus

Course Work
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 60
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 2,3,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be required to submit a journal of their experiences, maintained on a day-by-day basis for the duration of the module and detailing the tasks assigned to them and what they learned. This assessment element will be maintained simultaneously with and will be integrated with the Learning Journal requirement for the other module in this programme: Introduction to Archaeological Excavation and Recording with Osteology. Approx. 1500 words will deal with on-site excavation activities while a further c.1500 words will deal with the post-excavation activities.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
This will examine the student’s attendance, participation in discussions, willingness to complete tasks assigned in a timely manner, ability to work well in a group situation, comprehension of the management of the excavation, ability to work under direction, attention to detail and accuracy particularly in the production of material relating to the written record.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
The essay element requires that students submit a 1,500 word essay on archaeological research and excavation techniques and on-site recording and the post-excavation process as it relates to the management of burials and human remains. This will be an integrated assessment along with the other module in this programme: Introduction to Archaeological Excavation and Recording with Osteology.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

Part Time On Campus

Course Work
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 60
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 2,3,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be required to submit a journal of their experiences, maintained on a day-by-day basis for the duration of the module and detailing the tasks assigned to them and what they learned. This assessment element will be maintained simultaneously with and will be integrated with the Learning Journal requirement for the other module in this programme: Introduction to Archaeological Excavation and Recording with Osteology. Approx. 1500 words will deal with on-site excavation activities while a further c.1500 words will deal with the post-excavation activities.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
This will examine the student’s attendance, participation in discussions, willingness to complete tasks assigned in a timely manner, ability to work well in a group situation, comprehension of the management of the excavation, ability to work under direction, attention to detail and accuracy particularly in the production of material relating to the written record.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
The essay element requires that students submit a 1,500 word essay on archaeological research and excavation techniques and on-site recording and the post-excavation process as it relates to the management of burials and human remains. This will be an integrated assessment along with the other module in this programme: Introduction to Archaeological Excavation and Recording with Osteology.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
No repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will be offered solely on the basis of coursework and a repeat examination will not be offered.
Reassessment Description
Provided the student as attended and participated satisfactorily, reassessment on the basis of coursework will be offered. Where attendance and participation has been unsatisfactory, the student will be required to reattend.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time On Campus
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecturer Supervised Learning Contact Central to this module is the student's direct participation in live post-excavation research which takes place in parallel with an excavation in a field laboratory on an archaeological excavation site. Every Week 12.00 12
Lecture Contact A series of topics will be presented dealing with the approaches and processes involved in excavation methodology based on examples drawn from the literature and from the lecturers' own research experience. Some lectures will be delivered by invited guest lecturers who are acknowledged experts/specialists in their areas. Every Week 2.00 2
Practical Contact Students will participate in a series of practicals/workshops where they will be introduced to aspects of post excavation processing and recording, and other topics as arise. Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Reading Non Contact Students will be directed to a series of publications on the reading list designed to support the material covered in the lectures and provide detailed information for use in completion of continuous assessment work. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact Students will spend time researching and writing their reflective journal each day Every Week 2.00 2
Total Weekly Learner Workload 20.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 16.00
Workload: Part Time On Campus
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecturer Supervised Learning Contact Central to this module is the student's direct participation in live post-excavation research which takes place in parallel with an excavation in a field laboratory on an archaeological excavation site. Every Week 12.00 12
Lecture Contact A series of topics will be presented dealing with the approaches and processes involved in excavation methodology based on examples drawn from the literature and from the lecturers' own research experience. Every Week 2.00 2
Practical Contact Students will participate in a series of practicals/workshops where they will be introduced to aspects of post excavation processing and recording, and other topics as arise. Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Reading Non Contact Students will be directed to a series of publications on the reading list designed to support the material covered in the lectures and provide detailed information for use in completion of continuous assessment work. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact Students will spend time researching and writing their reflective journal each day Every Week 2.00 2
Total Weekly Learner Workload 20.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 16.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Green, K. and Moore, T.. (2010), Archaeology, An Introduction, 5th. Routledge, Oxford, [ISBN: 978-0-415-49639-1].
  • Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P.. (2008), Archaeology: Theory, Methods and Practice, 5th. Thames & Hudson, London, [ISBN: 978-0500287132].
  • Museum of London. (1990), Archaeological Site Manual, 2nd. Museum of London, London, [ISBN: 978-0904818406].
  • Roskams, S.. (2001), Excavation (Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology), 1st. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, [ISBN: 978-0521798013].
  • Drewett, P.. (2011), Field Archaeology: An Introduction, 2nd. Routledge, London, [ISBN: 978-0415551199].
  • Timothy D. White,Pieter A. Folkens. (2005), The Human Bone Manual, Academic Press, New York, p.464, [ISBN: 978-0120884674].
  • Jonathan Haas,Jane E. Buikstra. Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains, Arkansas Archaeological Survey, Fayetteville, [ISBN: 978-1563490750].
  • Mays, S.. (2010), Archaeology of Human Bones, 2nd ed.. Routledge, London, [ISBN: 978-0415480918].
  • Charlotte A. Roberts,Keith Manchester. (2007), The Archaeology of Disease, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, p.338, [ISBN: 978-0801473883].
  • Sabrina C. Agarwal,Bonnie A. Glencross. (2011), Social Bioarchaeology, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, p.472, [ISBN: 978-1444337679].
  • Parker Pearson, M.. (2000), The Archaeology of Death and Burial, University of Texas Press.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • Website:, British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology (BABAO). (2007), British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology (BABAO), Exeter, University of Exeter,
    http://www.babao.org.uk/
  • Website:, (2021), Paleopathology Association,
    https://paleopathology-association.wilda pricot.org/
  • Website:, (2021), American Association of Physical Anthropologists, Hendron, American Association of Physical Anthropologists,
    https://physanth.org/
  • PDF/hard-copy handout:, Blackfriary Archaeology Field School. (2019), Course Handbook for Students, Trim, Blackfriary Archaeology Field School,
    http://bafs.ie
  • PDF/hard-copy handout:, Blackfriary Archaeology Field School. (2018), Post-Excavation Handbook, Trim, Blackfriary Archaeology Field School,
    http://bafs.ie