Availability:
Normally available to external students in second semester of every year.

Coordinator:Professor P. Brown

Residential School: 11 - 13 July compulsory.

Online: 0

Objectives: Students who successfully complete this unit should:

• have a detailed knowledge of the evolution of our species from the emergence of the first hominids to the appearance of modern humans;
  
• be familiar with the ongoing areas of controversy in human evolution and be able to critically assess aspects of these debates;
  
• gain experience in the application of a range of osteological and palaeontological techniques.

Content: Palaeoanthropology examines the skeletal evidence for the evolution and diversification of the Hominids. Emphasis will be placed on the factors which may have instigated the development of the Hominids as a distinct lineage and the question 'why are there Hominids?' will be examined in detail.
No prior knowledge of human biology, comparative and descriptive anatomy or evolutionary theory will be assumed in this unit. The initial part of the unit concentrates on aspects of skeletal and dental anatomy, histology and pathology in a series of three-hour laboratories. The practical component of the unit will be completed at the residential school. Students who have any difficulty in working with human skeletal materials should not enrol in this unit.

Assessment:
One practical report,
One essay,
End of semester examination.

Prescribed Book: Nelson, H & Jurmain, R. Essentials of physical anthropology. 5th Ed. West Publishing Co.