Featured Archaeology Modules
Featured Archaeology Modules
In this section, we will be featuring a range of Archaeology modules that we offer in the UCD School of Archaeology. The Series will run throughout the year.
- Human Osteoarchaeology
- Hunter Gatherer Archaeology
ARCH31010 - Human Osteoarchaeology
Osteoarchaeology is the study of human skeletal remains from archaeological sites. Skeletal analysis is an important skill as it allows archaeologists to identify human bones recovered during excavations. Osteology also allows us to learn more about the identities and lived experiences of past peoples.
Our stage 3 module ARCH31010 Human Osteoarchaeology offers an introduction to human skeletal anatomy. Using our extensive collection of casts, students spend the first half of the module learning how to recognize and orient specific bones as well as important anatomical landmarks and features.
During the second half of the module, students learn how to reconstruct aspects of biological profile, such as age and sex, from human remains. The module is extremely active and hands-on, combining lectures, practical sessions, and structured labs.
Arch41320 Hunter Gatherer 1: Key Themes
ARCH41320: Hunter-Gatherers 1: key themes
This graduate level module is an advanced introduction to the archaeology and anthropology of hunter-gatherers. Our focus is the background to the idea that there is a distinctive form of human social organization associated with hunting and gathering, and the key features of sociality and behaviour that have been argued to be linked to this. This includes egalitarianism, gender relations, mobility, use of resources etc. Throughout, a strong emphasis is on challenging stereotypes. Our geographical and temporal scope is broad. We will make extensive use of anthropological models of hunter-gatherer organization, always asking how and if the archaeological record can support these claims in a deep time context. The module is based around pre-recorded video lectures and in-depth class discussion and exercises. Assessment includes literature reviews and small research projects.
Testimonial. (Gavin Donaghy, PT MSc Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology student 2022-2024):
“I came to the course and the module as a commercial archaeologist with 20 years of field experience and, to a certain degree, entrenched ideas about Hunter-Gatherers. Hunter-Gatherers 1 allowed me to interrogate and understand archaeological and anthropological ideas and misconceptions about our deep-time ancestors. The module challenged my ideas about the sources and terminologies we used and the lenses through which we view the past. It also helped me to create new narratives and tell the stories of the Irish Mesolithic. I found the module enlightening, and the lessons I learned have stayed with me.”