This is both a practically oriented course designed to equip biological anthropology and archaeology students, in a laboratory setting, with the fundamental skills involved in identifying faunal remains, especially those of mammals, in terms of body part and taxonomy; and at the same time it is a fairly detailed introduction to comparative mammalian biology. Building on BIAN6517 (Human Skeletal Analysis), the practical part of the course focuses on the bones and teeth of the native and introduced mammals of Australia and an in-depth treatment of the non-human primates. The part of the course dealing with mammalian biology and general puts Australian mammals and nonhuman primates into a general mammalian context, surveying the Mammalia and the full range of variation to be found within the class, and its meaning in the context of the skeletal remains which were the subject of the practical part of the course.

1. Remembering: students will be expected to recognise and identify (giving reasons) the bones and teeth of the mammals treated in the course, down at least to generic level. 

2. Understanding: students will compare the remains of the different taxa of mammals, interpret them, and explain why they differ. 

3. Applying: students will demonstrate their ability to transfer their skills to a practical context. 

4. Analysing: students will be able to analyse mammalian remains both to differentiate the taxa concerned, and to place them in an overall biological context. 

5. Evaluating: Students will assess the differences between different mammalian taxa, argue functional and phylogenetic considerations, and justify their conclusions. 

6. Creating: students will develop an understanding of the mammals in general, and be able to generate phylogenetic arguments.

One short presentation (10%, 15-20 mins; Learning Outcomes 2,4,5), one short essay or report (10%, 450-500 words; Learning Outcomes 4,5,6), one 2-hour practical examination (80%; Learning Outcomes 1,3).

Normally offered every year
One two-hour lecture, one two-hour guided and supervised practical, and at least four hours of unsupervised practical per week for 12 weeks. Two hours of private study per week is expected.

None

No knowledge will be assumed, but it would be recommended that students have taken either an archaeology or a bioanthropology or a zoology course previously.

None prescribed, but several books cover parts of the course, and all will be recommended to the class on the Wattle site.