Education Program in Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology
Leiden university offers an education program in Human Osteoarchaeology which is taught at the laboratory by dr. Andrea Waters-Rist and dr. Menno Hoogland, with assistance of Rachel Schats. We offer two courses (Osteoarchaeology I and II) in the bachelor phase and an extensive program in the master phase, resulting in a Master of Science degree after completion.Both are part of the archaeology program of Leiden University. For more information about our education program you can visit the Leiden University website or contact the study advisor.
Bachelor Program
The focus of this class is the identification of human skeletal and dental remains. Students will learn basic skeletal biology, how to identify all the bones and teeth in the human skeleton, and major landmarks of each skeletal element. By the end of this class, students will be able to distinguish animal from human bones, and identify fragmentary skeletal material, as is common in many archaeological settings. Students will learn how to identify subadult bones, and determine the age of subadults. Finally, students will learn how to determine the minimum number of individuals from a commingled assemblage, identify burned bone, and recognize taphonomic changes on bone. In the class Osteoarchaeology II students will learn techniques associated with determining sex, adult age-at-death, stature, ancestry, and pathology, from human skeletal material (Osteoarchaeology I is a prerequisite for taking Osteoarchaeology II).
Master Program
This brand-new specialisation has started in September 2011 and provides students with a detailed background in the methods used to study human bones and teeth in physical anthropology and archaeology. It offers a solid foundation in skeletal and dental anatomy, as well as an understanding of the histology of skeletal tissues, morphological variations, and changes that come with age and/or sex.
The degree also considers diseases that can be diagnosed from bones and teeth and the palaeoepidemiological insights which can be drawn from them. Furthermore, students are introduced to the methods and standards associated with ancient DNA and isotope analysis. This master specialisation teaches procedures for the excavation of skeletonised human remains along with the standards used for recording them. In addition, special attention is given to taphonomic changes that can take
place within the grave context. Fieldwork is an option within the various
specialisations and if possible, the osteological laboratory will
organise its own excavation.
The degree also considers diseases that can be diagnosed from bones and teeth and the palaeoepidemiological insights which can be drawn from them. Furthermore, students are introduced to the methods and standards associated with ancient DNA and isotope analysis. This master specialisation teaches procedures for the excavation of skeletonised human remains along with the standards used for recording them. In addition, special attention is given to taphonomic changes that can take
place within the grave context. Fieldwork is an option within the various
specialisations and if possible, the osteological laboratory will
organise its own excavation.