Bioarchaeology: Human remains and ancient disease (ARCS2070)

Course overview

This course prepares students for the identification and analysis of human skeletal material excavated at archaeological sites. Students will become familiar with human osteology and skeletal evidence of ancient disease and trauma (palaeopathology). This information is placed in the context of major developments in the human past (eg. changing cultural approaches to death and burial, human migration, social stratification, the development of agriculture and animal domestication, urbanism, colonialism, conflict, and the development of medical treatment). Cultural approaches to death and burial in the archaeological record are explored, as well as the natural and artificial preservation of soft tissues (mummification). Site conditions that lead to bone preservation or break-down are also discussed. Scientific methods used to image, identify and analyse ancient diseases are used increasingly in archaeology, and these are discussed in detail. In addition, this course covers ethical considerations relating to the excavation, analysis, display and repatriation of ancient human remains.

This course provides instruction in human osteology and palaeopathology, with particular reference to major cultural developments in the human past.ﾠ Students will gain hands-on experience in the examination and analysis of skeletal material, skills which are required for professional achaeological practice. A heavy focus will be on working in this sensitive field in Australia, and Indigenous perspectives will be included to help develop skills in ethical practice in Australian bioarchaeology.

***WARNING*** This course covers material that may upset some people.ﾠ For example, the course material will include images of deceased people, human decomposition, skeletal remains, mummified remains, and the visible manifestations of human diseases in soft tissue and bone.ﾠ The course material will also discuss selected diseases and their progression.ﾠ If this material is likely to upset you, please do not enrol in this course.

For the information of students of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, the course includes published material on ancestral remains from Australia or the Torres Straits. Human remains may be handled in the course but these are not Aboriginal ancestral remains.

Course requirements

Assumed background

The course assumes a basic knowledge of archaeological concepts and methods.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ARCA1000 or ARCS1001

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

PUBLIC HOLIDAY: Please note that there will be no lecture or practical class on Monday 7th October, due to the King's public holiday scheduled on that day.

Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email the School of Social Science Administration Team at student.socsci@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details: full name, student ID, and course code. 

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to provide instruction in human osteology and palaeopathology through the examination of skeletal material, and to place this information in the context of major developments in the human past such as changing cultural approaches to death and burial, human migration, social stratification, the development of agriculture and animal domestication, urbanism, colonialism, conflict, and the development of medical treatment.

Students will develop skills in critical thinking and osteological analysis; skills which are required in professional archaeological practice.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Palaeopathology Report

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

40%

Due date

31/10/2025 5:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date. 

Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted. 

By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. 

You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.  

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time. 

The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. 

Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ). 

A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.  

A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process. 

Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.  

Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements. 

Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team. 

Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval. 

Bone exams

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

60% Three in class bone exams each worth 20%

Due date

12/08/2025

9/09/2025

14/10/2025

Completed in-class Practical Sessions Week 3, Week 7, Week 11.

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L07

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

in-class

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

You can request a deferred exam if you can provide evidence of unavoidable circumstances that prevented you from sitting your original exam at its scheduled date and time. Your application must include supporting evidence. The request will be assessed based on the evidence you provide when you apply. 

An application on the basis of a Student Access Plan (SAP) alone will not be accepted. If you are applying on medical grounds, a medical practitioner must assess your condition and provide a signed medical certificate that covers the day of the examination. You must obtain a medical certificate no later than two business days after the date of the original examination. Further details of acceptable evidence for deferred examination can be found here. 

For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland 

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Final Grade: The final grade is determined by adding together the sum of all individual assessment tasks.ﾠ Grades are calculated based on the marks received.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ. 

Additional assessment information

Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/ 

School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments 

Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.  

Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result  

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Integrated Pathology Learning Centre (IPLC): The UQ Integrated Pathology Learning Centre, a 21st century facility focussing on excellence in education for health science students and professionals, opened in 2010. An outstanding collection of over 2500 pathology specimens is displayed along with significant objects from the Marks-Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History demonstrating the progression in understanding of human disease from past to present. New and innovative resources and the latest technology are utilised to provide a distinctive educational experience benefiting students, educators, researchers, clinicians and their patients.

Location: Level 6, Health Sciences Building (Building 16) Herston Rd, Herston, Brisbane

Telephone: (07) 3346 5130 (Curator) or (07) 3346 5129

Fax: (07) 3346 5179

Email: pathology.learningcentre@uq.edu.au

Admission: Currently the Centre is open for health professionals, students and staff only. Students are required to show their student card to gain entry to the IPLC.ﾠ The IPLC is not open on public holidays. Please contact the Curator for information on opening hours during semester.

Photography: Please be advised that photography is not permitted inside the IPLC.

Transportation: Take the Number 66 bus from the UQ Lakes Bus Station and get off at the end of the line at Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital (RBWH) stop.ﾠ The Health Sciences Building is visible from the RBWH bus terminal.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.