90085 - Botanical and Faunal Analysis in Archaeology

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide a basic knowledge about the methods of analysis of plant and animal remains from archaeological sites. In particular, the course deals with the analysis of these remains in order to study of the natural environment of the past, the economy and the man’s dietary habits over the time. The student, at the end of the course, acquires specific skills about the methodologies for the integrated reconstruction of the subsistence strategies and resource use.

Course contents

• Brief History of Bioarcheology
  
• Methods in Bioarchaeology
• Exploitation of Plants and Animals during the past
• Domestication

Readings/Bibliography

J. DE GROSSI MAZZORIN, Archeozoologia, Laterza 2009

J. CLUTTON-BROCK, Storia naturale della domesticazione dei mammiferi, Bollati Boringhieri 2017

G. DI PASQUALE, Che cos'è l'archeobotanica, Carocci 2011

Teaching methods

The course is based on lectures dealing with the program topics.

Assessment methods

The evaluation consists of an oral exam on the course program. The student must show that he/she has acquired adequate general and systematic knowledge of the various topics and has mastered the scientific and methodological tools necessary for a reasoned analysis of the program subjects.

Gradation of the final grade

A very thorough knowledge of the topics addressed in the course program, together with high skills of critical analysis, ability to use specific archaeological terminology will be evaluated with the maximum score (30-30 cum laude).

A thorough knowledge of the topics addressed in the course program, together with good analytical and critical skills, proficiency of specific archeological terminology will be evaluated with good marks (27-29).

Relatively adequate preparation and sufficient analytical skills, even if not particularly articulated, expressed in correct language, will produce fair evaluations (23-26).

Sufficient preparation and analytical skills, expressed in barely formally correct language, will determine the sufficiency (18-22)

Teaching tools

Lectures will be illustrated with powerpoint presentations

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Curci