Obligatory course I: Basic Human Osteology

Basic Human Osteology class is a laboratory class with the hands-on access to the actual osteological material from the archaeological excavations, and introduction into human osteology.

Basic Human Osteology class is a laboratory class with the hands-on access to the actual osteological material from the archaeological excavations. A student is provided with the introduction into human osteology, learns adequate terminology, and how to identify elements of human skeletal system.

The following subjects are introduced and discussed:

1. terminology used in human osteology

2. physiology of the human skeletal system

3. osteology of the adult human:

- axial skeleton (vertebrae, rib cage)

- upper limb skeleton (shoulder girdle and arm)

- lower limb skeleton (pelvic girdle and leg)

- cranial skeleton and teeth

During each module student learns adequate terminology, ways to identify each bone and bone fragments (down to the name and side), and its use in bioarchaeological research.

Bass W. "Human Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual" Missouri Archaeological Society - newest edition

White T. and Folkens P. "The Human Bone Manual" Academic Press 2005

Any human osteology atlas.

The student has the ability not only to identify human bones down to the anatomical placement and side, but also show and name most of the anatomical features visible on bones and teeth, with the special attention to those used in bioarchaeological research.

The knowledge of the material is verified in an oral examination and use of the actual osteological material - student has to identify and name bone and the features visible on it.