Overview
This course emphasises the study of archaeological human remains within their funerary context.
It builds upon the School's extensive research in human osteology and palaeopathology and related research expertise in field archaeology, archaeozoology, molecular archaeology and archaeological biogeochemistry.
The course strongly emphasises the integration of biological and archaeological evidence to address problem-orientated research themes and the application of scientific methods to unravelling the human past.
It provides advanced instruction in the identification and analysis of human remains, the techniques and methods applied to understanding human skeletal morphological variation, and the means by which to assess pathological conditions affecting the skeleton.
The course provides access to our world renowned collection of reference material (The Bradford Human Remains Collection), hands-on experience in the School's laboratories, and a substantial individual research dissertation.
The course can be used either as vocational training or, for the MSc, as a foundation from which to commence further research. The course is normally offered on a full-time basis but a part-time route is feasible as well. Individual modules are available to candidates wishing to enhance their specialist knowledge in a particular area.
Rankings
We are ranked in the top 200 universities in the world for Archaeology in the 2019 QS World University Rankings by subject.
Learning and assessment
The teaching and learning strategy takes into consideration the learning outcomes, the nature of the subject, and the need for students to take responsibility for their own learning as part of this advanced taught programme.
The thematic modules are delivered in a combination of formal lectures, student-led intensive seminars/tutorials and extensive practical instruction. Coursework (e.g. laboratory reports, critiques, worksheets) is geared towards demonstrating relevant knowledge, understanding and professional skills in principal approaches to the analysis and interpretation of archaeological human remains and the application of scientific methods or archaeological theory. Communication skills are tested in both written and oral form in several modules.
Facilities
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The Biological Anthropology Research Centre (BARC) has three dedicated osteology labs. Our main teaching space is the Keith Manchester laboratory, with state of the art touchscreen, radiography screens and photographic rig.
Our laboratories are equipped with a large range of osteological equipment and reference casts, which can be borrowed for dissertation research. The School’s radiography laboratory allows us to take digital radiographs for teaching and dissertation research.
We hold an extensive collection of over 4500 human skeletons, the largest teaching collection in the UK. These date from the Neolithic to the 19th century, and include internationally important sites such as the mass grave from the Battle of Towton (AD 1461, reputedly the bloodiest battle fought on English soil), remains from a medieval leprosarium and almshouse in Chichester, and Wetwang Slack, the largest excavated Iron Age cemetery in the UK. The BARC also curates an extensive collection of over 5,000 radiographs, both skeletal and clinical.
The Integrated Life Sciences Learning Centre provides students with access to virtual dissection, virtual autopsy, virtual histology and a large collection of anatomical specimens and casts, including pathological specimens from clinical cases.