Zooarchaeology refers to the study of animal remains from archaeological sites. The goal of zooarchaeology is to gain a better understanding of the relationship between humans and their environment, especially between humans and other animal populations. Zooarchaeologists have relied heavily on combinations of the natural and social sciences, history, and the humanities for concepts, methods, and explanations. Basic biological principles and topics are fundamental to zooarchaeology.
Duration: 12 Months
Medium: English and Sinhala
Number of Credits: 30 credits
Lecturing: On Classroom & Distance Learning (Zoom)
Minimum admission requirement: Minimum admission requirement is the General Certificate of Education (Advanced level) or an equivalent qualification. A foundation course followed by passing an aptitude test or completion of NVQF level 4 or accredited work experience or accredited prior learning may also be considered as equivalent qualification for admission to SLQF level 3 in a particular field of specialization.
Zooarchaeology and Basic Biology
Course Code: DPZA 0301
Learning Outcomes: Demonstrate communication skills in Zooarchaeology and Basic Biology
Course Content:
An introduction to zooarchaeology
Basic biology for zooarchaeology
Identification of animals
Method of Teaching and Learning: Lectures/ Tutorials/ Discussion Classes/ Presentation/ Field Lessons and Laboratory Studies.
Assessments: End of course written examination of MCQ and/ or structural Essays and/ or Assignments and/or Presentation and/ or Activity.
Zooarchaeology and related fields.
Course Code: DPZA 0302
Learning Outcomes: Demonstrate communication skills of Zooarchaeology and related fields.
Course Content:
Biogeographical zones in the world
Biogeography in Sri Lanka
Ecology
Palaeobiodiversity
Palaeontology
Animal pathology and osteological characters
Pleistocene period in Sri Lanka
Method of Teaching and Learning: Lectures/ Tutorials/ Discussion Classes/ Presentation/ Field Lessons and Laboratory Studies.
Assessments: End of course written examination of MCQ and/ or structural Essays and/ or Assignments and/or Presentation and/ or Activity.
Zooarchaeology in Archaeology
Course Code: DPZA 0303
Learning Outcomes: Demonstrate communication skills of Zooarchaeology in Archaeology
Course Content:
History of prehistoric studies in Sri Lanka
Biostratigraphy, geostratigraphy and chronology
Settlement archaeology
Identification of faunal material found from cultural contexts
Malacology for archaeology
A case study: Pothana prehistoric cave excavations and zooarchaeological material
Shell maddens and prehistoric evidence in Sri Lanka
Disciplines of physical anthropology and zooarchaeology (study of morphological characters, measurements etc. of human and animal skeletal material)
Disposal of faunal remains
Interpret of zooarchaeological data
Animal domestication
Method of Teaching and Learning: Lectures/ Tutorials/ Discussion Classes/ Presentation/ Field Lessons and Laboratory Studies.
Assessments: End of course written examination of MCQ and/ or structural Essays and/ or Assignments and/or Presentation and/ or Activity.
Osteology for Zooarchaeology
Course Code: DPZA 0304
Learning Outcomes: Demonstrate communication skills of Osteology for Zooarchaeology
Course Content:
Study of recent skeletal remains
Human and animal teeth
Method of Teaching and Learning: Lectures/ Tutorials/ Discussion Classes/ Presentation/ Field Lessons and Laboratory Studies.
Assessments: End of course written examination of MCQ and/ or structural Essays and/ or Assignments and/or Presentation and/ or Activity.
Laboratory Studies
Course Code: DPZA 0305
Learning Outcomes: Demonstrate communication skills of Laboratory Studies
Course Content:
Age at death
Conservation, treatments and storage of animal remains found from archaeological excavations
Counting and recording
Gathering data
Reference collection, management of archaeological collections, publications, and curation
Osteological illustration
Method of Teaching and Learning: Lectures/ Tutorials/ Discussion Classes/ Presentation/ Field Lessons and Laboratory Studies.
Assessments: End of course written examination of MCQ and/ or structural Essays and/ or Assignments and/or practical test and/or Presentation and/ or Activity.
Field Studies
Learning Outcomes: Obtain training for students to apply the theoretical knowledge gained, in practical context.
Course Content: Field visits and training, workshops.
Methods of Teaching and Learning: Lectures/ Tutorials/Discussion Classes/ Presentations/ Field Lessons/ Practical Studies/ Sites visits/Assist the students for independent investigation on interest subject areas.
Assessments: End of the course submits the report to the Course Coordinator.