- Events and News >
- Field Courses >
- Zooarchaeology Field Course 2009
Zooarchaeology Field Course 2009
ZOOARCHAEOLOGY FIELD COURSE
6-11 July, 2009*
Kaman-Kalehöyük, Kırşehir, Turkey
Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology
Application Deadline: November 30, 2008
For further information, please contact: Mrs. Deniz Erbişim
Phone: +90 312 442 7216
E-mail: meccjtr
ttmail.com
Course Description:
Zooarchaeology is the study of hard tissues (bones, teeth, antler, and horns) in non-human animals excavated from archaeological sites. The intensive field course introduces the basic tenets of zooarchaeology and gives students hands-on training and an ability to identify, document, analyze, interpret, and report archaeological animal bone assemblages. The integrated lectures, labs, and seminars will address theoretical, methodological, and analytical issues that are significant in designing and carrying out zooarchaeological research. Students will also learn and discuss case studies from diverse geographical areas and time periods.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the field course, the student will have learned how to:
- sort out animal bones into the skeletal parts and elements
- sort out animal bones by major taxonomic units (i.e., class, family, genus, or species)
- determine age at death and sex of an animal
- identify bone accumulating, modifying, and destroying agents and their implications
- apply quantitative units and use them in faunal reports
- formulate legitimate archaeological questions to be addressed using animal bones
- be familiar with the possibilities, problems, biases, and the limitations of faunal analyses
Course Settings:
Kaman-Kalehöyük is an ongoing archaeological excavation in Central Turkey. Archaeofaunal assemblages have been meticulously excavated, collected, and documented at the site since 1986. The field course does not only provide students with a unique opportunity to learn about the study of animal remains, but also to interact with highly dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international team. Students will have an opportunity to excavate at the site if conditions permit.
Instructor:
- Levent Atici, Ph.D.
- Assistant Professor of Archaeology, Director of Zooarchaeology Laboratory
Department of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy Mail Stop 455003, Las Vegas, NV 89154 USA
Levent.Aticiunlv.edu
Costs:
$250 course fee (includes food and lodging; students are expected to pay for their travel to Kaman, Kirsehir, Turkey)
Prerequisites:
Applicants must have proficiency in English to be able to follow the lectures and to interact with other students.
To Apply:
Candidates will submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of intent to Levent.Aticiunlv.edu
In the letter, they should summarize their areas of interest, their experience, future research directions, and how they could benefit from the field school.
Course Schedule:
- Day 1. July 6, 2009
- Arrival in Kaman
- Orientation to JAAE and facilities
- Introduction to the field course
- Day 2. July 7, 2009
- SUBJECT 1:
ARCHAEOLOGY, EXCAVATION AND RECOVERY TECHNIQUES AND ZOOARCHAEOLOGY - A visit to the site (5:40 a.m.)
- Return to the camp (9:00 a.m.)
- SUBJECT 2:
INTRODUCTION TO ZOOARCHAEOLOGY
(Seminar room: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; Lab: 12:00-2:00 p.m.) -
- What is archaeology? Archaeology: history, anthropology, or science?
- Archaeology in Turkey.
- What is zooarchaeology? Its goals, methods, and contributions to archaeology
- Zooarchaeology in Turkey
- Zooarchaeology of Kaman-Kalehoyuk
- Faunal collections
- Modern reference collections
- Recording protocols
- Day 3. July 8, 2009
- SUBJECT 3:
IDENTIFICATION OF SKELETONS
(Seminar room: 6:00-7:30 a.m.; Lab: 7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) -
- Biology of hard tissues : Bones, antlers, horns, and teeth
- Skeleton in vertebrates
- Directional terminology
- Cranial skeleton
- Teeth
- Independent study (5:00-10:00 p.m.)
- Day 4.July 9, 2009
- SUBJECT 4:
IDENTIFICATION OF SKELETONS CONTINUED
(Lab: 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) - Vertebral column
- Thorax
- Pectoral/Shoulder girdle
- Fore limbs
- Pelvic girdle
- Hind limbs
- Extremities
- Bird, fish, and reptile skeletons
- Independent study (5:00-10:00 p.m.)
- Day 5. July 10, 2009
- SUBJECT 5:
AGING AND SEXING
(Seminar room: 6:00-7:30 a.m.; Lab: 7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) - Aging: epiphyseal fusión and dental eruption and wear
- Sexing: morphology and size. Osteometry: taking and using measurements
- Independent study
- Day 6: July 11, 2009
- SUBJECT 6:
FORMATION OF ARCHAEOFAUNAL RECORD
(Seminar room: 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) - Understanding the nature of the archaeological record and archaeofaunal assemblages.
- Bone accumulating, modifying, and destroying agents.
- SUBJECT 7:
FAUNAL ANALYSIS AND QUANTITATIVE ZOOARCHAEOLOGY - What, how, and why to count? The basic quantification units and statistics in zooarchaeology. A blueprint for faunal analysis
- What and how and why to analyze and report: publishing data
*Please note that dates are subject to change.