| Kommentar |
Advances in scientific and data analytic techniques have provided archaeologists with unprecedented access to the global human past. Developments in isotope research, ancient DNA, proteomics, dating methods, statistics, and computer modelling continue to increase the resolution at which archaeologists can study past diets, demography, environments, and socioeconomic and cultural change over time. As a result, archaeologists are deepening our understanding of human history and in some cases completely changing what we thought we knew about past societies. It is, therefore, critical for students of archaeology to have a solid background in the benefits, pitfalls, and suitable applications of scientific methods and data analytic techniques to archaeological research. This course aims to provide students with a strong foundation in cutting-edge archaeological science and data analysis through a combination of taught lectures, seminars, and practical laboratory courses. After defining archaeological science, the course will move through the archaeometric areas of chronometry (including radiocarbon dating), palaeodiet (including residue and stable isotope analysis), palaeodemography (including archaeogenetics and population modelling), and palaeoenvironment (including palaeoenvironmental coring and biomarker research), providing a background and evaluation of existing methods in each case. Group discussion of selected papers, as well as hands on experience, will provide students with the critical skills required to assess archaeological science publications, presentations, and collaborations.
Die Dozenten Dr. habil. Patrick Roberts und Dr. Christopher Carleton sind unter roberts@shh.mpg.de sowie carleton@shh.mpg.de erreichbar. |
