PALEOBIOLOGY OF ANCIENT POPULATIONS

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

POPANT001

Academic Year of enrolment:

2018

Year of supply:

2019/2020

Type of Course:

Characterising

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in CULTURAL HERITAGE: ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY OF ART

Disciplinary Sector:

Anthropology

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

D'ANASTASIO RUGGERO

Cycle:

First semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

108

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of human skeletal anatomy, human evolution and the basic methodologies of physical anthropology is required.

Objectives

The course aims to provide in-depth knowledge a) on the evolution of human cultures, and b) methods of investigation for the reconstruction of the paleobiology of ancient human populations. At the end of the course the students is going to have acquired knowledge about the archaeological evidence of the development of the material and intangible cultures of prehistory, as well as the techniques to outline the biological profile, the paleodiet, the migratory movements and the health status of an inhumed, cremated or mummified skeletal individual and, more in general, of the population to which they belong. In addition, students must have acquired the skills necessary for the identification of skeletal changes attributable to pathological conditions.

Contents

The topics of the course complete the training undertaken by the students with the course of Physical Anthropology (Course of Study OBC7 - Cultural Heritage). The course, in particular, deepens a) aspects of the cultural evolution of primitive populations, particularly during the Paleolithic and Mesolithic age, and b) the study methods necessary to reconstruct the paleobiology, health status and behavioral models of ancient human populations. The skeletal and dental alterations related to the activities performed during life (so-called occupational indicators) and to the state of health (object of study of Paleopathology) will be examined. A part of the course is dedicated to the study of cremated and mummified human remains).

Extended Syllabus

PART I: PALEOANTROPOLOGIA
The idea of prehistory and the methods of research.
The appearance of man in the tropical regions of Africa.
The spread of man in Africa and in the temperate regions of Europe and Asia. The lower Paleolithic.
The Neanderthal Man and the Middle Paleolithic.
The origin of modern Man and its diffusion in Europe: the Upper Paleolithic.
The ancient phase of the lower Paleolithic: the Aurignazian.
The middle phase of the European upper Peleolitic: the Gravettian.
The recent phase of the Upper Paleolithic: post-gravettian complexes.
Society and spirituality in the Upper Paleolithic.
The Mesolithic.
Notes on the development of prehistory in non-European regions.

PART II: PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
The study of cremated human remains.
Epigenetic and discontinuous characters of the cranial and post-cranial skeleton.
Study of ergonomics and occupational stress indicators for the reconstruction of working activities in life.

PART III: PALEODEMOGRAPHY
Behavioral models and migratory movements.
Paleopathology: pathocenosis, joint, traumatic, infectious, metabolic, neoplastic and dental diseases.
The chemical and genetic analysis of archaeological finds: ancient DNA and trace elements for the reconstruction of the paleodiet.

Recommended Bibliography

Study texts (for attending and not attending students):
A. BROGLIO, Introduzione al paleolitico. Laterza, Bari-Roma, 1998.
Dispensa consegnata a lezione.

Research materials:
W. BASS, Human osteology. Missouri Archaeological Society, 1987.
D. BROTHWELL, Digging up bones. Cornell University Press, New York, 1981.
L. CAPASSO, K. KENNEDY, C. WILCZAK, Atlas of occupational markers on human remains. Edigrafital, Teramo, 1999.
G. HAUSER, G.F. DE STEFANO, Epigenetic variants of the human skull. Schweizerbart, Stoccarda, 1989.
M.Y. ISCAN, K.A.R. KENNEDY, Reconstruction of life from the skeleton. Alan R. Liss Inc., New York, 1989.
D.J. ORTNER, W.G.J. PUTSCHAR, Identification of pathological condition in human skeletal remains. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, 1981.
C. ROBERTS, K. MANCHESTER, The Archaeology of disease. Sutton Publishing Limited, Stroud, 2005.
D.H. UBELAKER, Human skeletal remains. Excavation, analysis, interpretation. Taraxacum, Washington, 1989.

Teaching Methods

Frontal lectures and practical exercises. The latter will focus on the study of casts of pathological bone alterations.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The exam will consist of an oral test accompanied by a practical test which will consist in the diagnosis of pathological skeletal alterations on casts.

Contacts/More Information

Student reception on Tuesday at 10.00 am at the Institute of Anthropology.

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

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