Faunal Analysis

This course will give students training in the study of animal bones from archeological and paleontological sites. A broad survey of skeletons from a variety of animals (mammals, birds, reptiles and fish) leads to a focus on the bones of medium-sized ungulates commonly found at archeological sites (e.g., the white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus). The class period will be divided between lecture and lab time. Students will be involved in hands-on identification of bones, and will learn to identify damage on bones made from weathering, butchery with stone tools, and carnivore feeding. Experiments will be carried out to illustrate the relationship between particular activities and specific types of bone damage.

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