Science and Technology for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage

General Objective The student will acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of bioarchaeology, with a particular focus on human skeletal anatomy. The course will cover methods for constructing the biological profile, emphasising techniques for determining sex and estimating age at death in adult individuals. Foundational knowledge will also be provided to recognise major palaeopathological conditions. The skills acquired will enable students to critically understand bioarchaeological interpretative processes concerning the archaeological context. A - Knowledge and understanding OF 1) To acquire knowledge of human skeletal anatomy in its main components. OF 2) To recognise the primary morphological differences between male and female individuals. OF 3) To develop an in-depth understanding of the skeletal anatomy of adult individuals. OF 4) To become familiar with the fundamental aspects of palaeopathology and its main diagnostic categories. OF 5) To gain the ability to contextualise the analysis of skeletal remains within the broader bioarchaeological framework, integrating environmental, cultural, and funerary data. OF 6) To critically analyse and interpret the results of bioarchaeological investigations, applying the knowledge and skills acquired in osteobiographical research. B - Application skills OF 7) To critically assess the appropriateness of destructive sampling for isotopic and genetic analyses related to diet and mobility. OF 8) To develop practical strategies for the analysis and interpretation of skeletal remains in poor or compromised states of preservation. OF 9) To apply the main anthropological methods for the determination of biological sex and the estimation of age at death consciously and critically. C - Autonomy of judgment OF 10) To critically evaluate scientific literature in order to apply established methodologies and integrate them with the most recent research developments. OF 11) To integrate acquired knowledge in order to address and understand the ethical issues inherent in the study of human skeletal remains OF 12) To develop independent critical thinking in the interpretation of skeletal data, integrating biological, archaeological, and cultural evidence in the evaluation of reconstructive hypotheses. D - Communication skills OF 13) – To acquire the ability to present and discuss the results of osteobiographical analyses carried out in group settings, using scientific language appropriate to the disciplinary context. OF 14) To be able to identify and articulate the methodological and epistemological limitations of research, proposing improvements or alternative avenues for further investigation. E - Ability to learn OF 15) To acquire the skills needed to navigate specialist bibliographic sources critically, including skeletal anatomy manuals and the leading scientific journals in the field. OF 16) To develop awareness and critical sensitivity regarding the ethical implications of studying skeletal remains of individuals who once had a life and identity. OF 17) To acquire the ability to design and structure an osteobiographical investigation, from defining research objectives to selecting the most appropriate analytical methods.