Funerary Anthropology

Recommended Prerequisites

The student should have knowledge of human osteology and of biological profile analysis of human bone remains.

Teaching Methods

The theorical concepts will be exposed and explored in the theorical lessions. Through practical exercises, individual and in group, the students will be able to apply the discussed methodologies. The participation in field work is planned.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to equip students with essential knowledge about of excavation of human skeletal remains and to interpret prehistoric and historic funerary contexts. Besides topics of Funerary Anthropology and field work, emphasis will also be given to particular funerary contexts that require a more specific approaches in field and in laboratory. The aim is to prepare students to maximize the information that can be obtained about the death and life of past populations.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

- The burial practices over time: brief historical background;

- Concepts of Funerary Anthropology and excavation techniques;

- Influence of extrinsic and intrinsic taphonomical factors;

- Particular types of burial practices (collective burials, cremations, canibalism): specific methodologies for their study;

- Estimation of the minimum number of individuals in commingled funerary contexts.

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Maria Gama da Silva

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Report of a seminar or field trip: 20.0%
Exam: 40.0%
Other: 40.0%

Bibliography

Duday H, Le Mort F, Tillier A-M. 2014. Archaeothanatology and funeral Archaeology, application to the study of primary single burials. Anthropologie LII/3: 235-246.

Henderson  J. 1987. Factors determining the state of preservation of human remains. In: Boddington A.; Garland AN.; Janaway, RC. (ed.). Death, decay  and reconstruction: approaches to archaeology and forensic science. Manchester, Manchester University Press: 127-148).

Roksandik, M. (2002). Position of skeletal remains as key to understanding mortuary behavior. In: William D. HAGLUND, Marcella H. SORG (eds.). Advances in Forensic Taphonomy: 95-113.

Silva, AM. (2012), Antropologia funerária e Paleobiologia das populações Portuguesas (Litorais) do Neolítico final/Calcolítico. Textos Universitários de Ciências Sociais e Humanas. Lisboa, FCG e FCT.

Silva, AM.; Ferreira, MT. (2016/2017). Perscrutando espólios antigos 5: Contributo da análise dos restos ósseos humanos. Estudos Arqueológicos de Oeiras 23: 219 - 232.