Death & Burial: Human Remains Analysis and Funerary Archaeology, 15 Credits

Contents

This course provides the student with an introduction to human remains analysis in archaeology, defining the knowledge and skills concerning the methods and techniques needed for the study of human remains. Through a mix of lectures, seminars, and practical/laboratory classes they will explore a variety of themes that together reflect the broad range of contemporary issues in physical anthropology studies. 
 
The lectures and practicals are designed to enable students to gain a broad understanding of changing attitudes to the treatment of humans in death, and to gain insights into the excavation, analysis and curation of human remains.  

The course integrates practical approaches to fundamental aspects of human physical anthropology, prehistoric and historic burial practices, and culminates with a consideration of modern attitudes to death burial and forensic archaeology. 

The course consists of three elements: 
 
Element 1. Human Remains Analysis (6.5 credits). This part of the course focusses on Physical Anthropology. As such it is comprised of lectures introducing the topic of human remains analysis and laboratory classes that will allow hands on experience to be gained in relation to factors such as the recording of the skeleton, ageing and sexing of human remains etc. You will need to be comfortable handling human remains and you will be expected to attend all laboratory sessions in order to be able to complete a full laboratory report based on the analyses. It is anticipated that a minimum of 8hrs of tutor-led laboratory sessions and 8hrs of student-led sessions will comprise this part of the course, with a minimum of 4 hours of lectures to accompany these. 
 
Element 2. Various Attitudes to Death and Burial (4.5 credits). This part of the course is primarily aimed at the study of changes in burial practices over time and the changing attitudes to death and burial that accompany changing socio-economic trajectories in the past. Teaching will comprise lectures and a student-led seminar. The assessment for this element is a short essay on approaches and attitudes to death and burial during a specific chronological period in the past.   

 Element 3. Forensic Archaeology (4 credits). In this element of the course, we will look at modern and forensic approaches to the location, identification and analysis of crime scenes and the overall investigative process. As might be anticipated this is primarily a lecture-based element of the course, but it is assessed through the production of a poster that consider a 'cold case' of the students choosing, in which you are expected to consider the original case itself, and to consider the ways in which modern forensics approaches might (or might not) have enhanced the original investigations.

Expected learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student will be able to: 
 
Knowledge and understanding: 

• Outline the various methods used in physical anthropology and discuss their efficacy, demonstrating fundamental insight into current (and past) research 
• Demonstrate a good methodological knowledge and understanding in terms of the most appropriate techniques and methods of analysis necessary for the study of human remains and social attitudes to death and burial, to include both a good basic overview of the field and good knowledge in certain areas 
• Examine the variety of evidence appropriate to the discipline and show an understanding of the key aspects of Physical Anthropology and the study of humans in the past 
• Assess the efficacy of the methods that are used in studying human remains or forensics and determine whether these are fit for purpose for the study you undertake.  

Skills and abilities: 

• Demonstrate the ability to plan and use appropriate methods in the analysis and recording of human remains from archaeological sites 
• Analyse, record and report upon curated human skeletal remains and recognize and critique differing attitudes to death and burial over time 
• Demonstrate the skills required for research in the study of humans in the past 
• Collect, e.g. from laboratory work, and present data in a coherent and logical manner. 
• Analyse the results produced during the laboratory and literature-based elements and place them in their appropriate archaeological and historical context 
• Recognize and be able to document observations and results obtained during laboratory and research in order to deliver a coherent report/essay or poster 
• Synthesize a multi-faceted dataset and present the results a coherent, logical manner  
• Manage their time effectively 
• Demonstrate IT skills in data management and interpretation 
• Prepare and present an overview of their poster project in the form of a seminar 
• Produce and communicate the results of the laboratory work in a written report.  
• Research and design a visual reflection piece on modern and/or forensic approaches to death and burial 

 Judgement and Approach: 

• Examine the variety of techniques appropriate to the discipline and use these techniques to interpret the evidence from human remains, archaeological monuments and forensic approaches in a logical manner 
• Present a report outlining the methods used in the analysis of human remains, demonstrating a sound knowledge and understanding in terms of their viability and application 
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of the ways in which researchers have thought/think about death and burial, both in the past and currently 
• Determine which aspects of students learning are the most appropriate for studying their chosen skeleton, burial landscape and forensic case study 
• Demonstrate insight into the potentials and limitations of research and ensure that students research is used responsibly 
• Produce/essay/poster capable of being understood by non-subject specialists that conforms to adequate standards anticipated at undergraduate level 

Form of instruction

Instruction includes lectures, seminars and supervision. The course is given in classrooms and laboratories at the university. The ability to work independently as well as an integral part of a team is expected. The student will be expected to demonstrate a good level of critical thinking, analytic skills and interpersonal abilities commensurate with first cycle studies.

Examination modes

The examination is based on an individual assessment of practical, oral and written assignments. The examination includes: 

Element 1. Human Remains Analysis (7.5 credits). Laboratory report (2,500 words or equivalent). Examination is based on attendance at lectures and compulsory attendance at laboratory classes, and on individual achievement in the form of a written report (home exam) in accordance with the grading scale VG, G or U. 
 
Element 2. Various Attitudes to Death and Burial (3 credits). Examination is based on seminars and written work by groups (seminar) and by individuals (essay). The written examination is in the form of an essay on approaches and attitudes to death and burial during a specific chronological period in either prehistory or the historic period (1,500 words or equivalent). Students are graded individually in accordance with the grading scale VG, G or U. 

Element 3. Forensic Archaeology (4,5 credits). Examination is based on the students own research, and based on the lectures. Poster and oral presentation (1250 words or equivalent) on forensics: incorporating historic and modern attitudes to death and burial. Students are graded individually in accordance with the grading scale VG, G or U. 

The student is assessed individually on the three parts of the course and is graded according to the grading scale VG (pass), G (pass) and U (fail). For the entire course, one of the grades VG, G and U is given. To get the grade G on the entire course, at least grade G is required on all three parts; for grade VG on the entire course, at least VG on two of three course parts is required. Assessment criteria and documentation methods for individual work initiatives are presented by the examiner at the start of the course. 
 
Students who fail the examination have a right to retake the examination within two months after the first examination, and once again within a year. A student who has passed an examination may not be re-examined.  
 
A student who has failed two examinations for a course or segment of a course, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless there are special reasons (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 6, section 22). Requests for new examiners are made to the faculty director of studies at Faculty of Arts. 
 
Deviations from the examination form of the syllabus can be made for a student who has decisions on pedagogical support due to incapacity. Individual adaptation of the examination forms should be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adapted within the expected study results of the syllabus. At the request of the student, the teacher responsible for the course, in consultation with the examiner, must quickly decide on the adapted examination form. The decision should then be communicated to the student. 
 
In the event that the syllabus expires or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the regular examination) according to the regulations of the syllabus on which the student was originally registered for a maximum period of two years from the end of the previous syllabus or the course has ceased to be offered.

Other regulations

In granting a university degree, this course may not be combined with any other course that has a similar content. In case of uncertainty, the student should consult the Director of Studies at the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies at Umeå University.