Anthropology and Archaeological Excavation
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Unità didattica: Scavo geoarcheologico
The student will acquire basic knowledge about the archaeological excavation and about the main types of archaeological material acquired by means of it. The approach is focused on a geoarchaeological perspective
Unità didattica: Antropologia
The course aims at increasing the knowledge of students concerning osteology, anthropology and paleopathology especially for use on the field , during the stages of excavation and recovery
The student will acquire basic knowledge about the archaeological excavation and about the main types of archaeological material acquired by means of it. The approach is focused on a geoarchaeological perspective
Unità didattica: Antropologia
The course aims at increasing the knowledge of students concerning osteology, anthropology and paleopathology especially for use on the field , during the stages of excavation and recovery
Expected learning outcomes
Unità didattica: Scavo geoarcheologico
Basic techniques for archaeological excavations and ability to identify the main types of archaeological material in a geoarchaeological perspective.
Unità didattica: Antropologia
Basic knowledege and skills in the fields of Osteology and Anthropology within the context of archaeological excavation and recovery.
Basic techniques for archaeological excavations and ability to identify the main types of archaeological material in a geoarchaeological perspective.
Unità didattica: Antropologia
Basic knowledege and skills in the fields of Osteology and Anthropology within the context of archaeological excavation and recovery.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is designed to train students in the study of human remains with a view to their excavation and recovery, and aims to provide the fundamentals of skeletal taphonomy and anthropological diagnostics, in particular relating to the biological profile.
The course will therefore include notions of anthropology as follows (Cattaneo)
- Macroscopic human osteology: skeletal and dental apparatus.
- Recovery and treatment techniques
- Determination of species.
- Determination of time of death.
- Sex diagnosis.
- Age estimation.
- Determination of biogeographical origin
- Skeletal taphonomy with emphasis on pathology and injury
- Interaction of the skeleton with the environment
- Overview of different contexts: inhumations, cremations, mummies and forensic contexts.
- Skeletal collections
The second part of the course includes (Trombino)
- Introduction history of archaeology, methodological approach to modern archaeological research.
- Archaeological excavation concepts and techniques.
- Landscape archaeology and reconnaissance techniques
- the main classes of archaeological material: stone, wood, pottery
The course will therefore include notions of anthropology as follows (Cattaneo)
- Macroscopic human osteology: skeletal and dental apparatus.
- Recovery and treatment techniques
- Determination of species.
- Determination of time of death.
- Sex diagnosis.
- Age estimation.
- Determination of biogeographical origin
- Skeletal taphonomy with emphasis on pathology and injury
- Interaction of the skeleton with the environment
- Overview of different contexts: inhumations, cremations, mummies and forensic contexts.
- Skeletal collections
The second part of the course includes (Trombino)
- Introduction history of archaeology, methodological approach to modern archaeological research.
- Archaeological excavation concepts and techniques.
- Landscape archaeology and reconnaissance techniques
- the main classes of archaeological material: stone, wood, pottery
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites are requested
Teaching methods
The course will consist of standard lectures, seminars, case studies and a practical a series of practicals on human skeletal remains. PPts and readings will be available on the Ariel site.
Teaching Resources
- Antropologia e odontologia forense. Guida allo studio dei resti umani. Testo atlante, Grandi Cattaneo 2005, Monduzzi editore
- Atlante di osteologia umana (qualsiasi)
- Biehler Gomez, Cattaneo, 2020, Interpreting Bone lesions and Pathology for Forensic Practice, Academic Press
- Materiale e letture su ariel
- Atlante di osteologia umana (qualsiasi)
- Biehler Gomez, Cattaneo, 2020, Interpreting Bone lesions and Pathology for Forensic Practice, Academic Press
- Materiale e letture su ariel
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination is oral; the results of the exam will be communicated at the end of the exam; there is no obligation to skip a session in case of failure.
BIO/08 - ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Cattaneo Cristina, Trombino Luca
Professor(s)
Reception:
On appointment
In my office, Via Mangiagalli 34, 2nd floor, room 77