Human Bioarchaeology and Palaeopathology

The course is delivered through an exciting and challenging mixture of lectures, seminars and hands-on practical classes. Lectures provide key information on a particular area and identify the main areas for discussion and debate in bioarchaeology. Seminars then provide opportunities for smaller groups to discuss and debate issues or areas, based on the knowledge that you have gained through your lectures and through independent study outside the programme’s formal contact hours. Finally, practical laboratory classes allow you to gain direct practical skills in recording and interpretation of data from skeletal remains. We have a dedicated human osteology laboratory at Durham and curate large collections of human skeletal remains, including many pathological examples. These are an important component of the course, facilitating independent and group work, as well as hands-on experience under laboratory conditions, essential for a potential future working environment. You will have access to the human bone laboratory for independent study outside of formal teaching hours and we encourage you to use these resources as much as possible.

The balance of these types of activities changes throughout the course, as you develop your knowledge and ability as independent learners. You will have the opportunity to engage in research, professional practice, and to develop and demonstrate research skills in subject areas that interest you. In addition to the taught components, a series of informal ‘open lab’ sessions form part of the learning experience. We also offer guest lecturers and seminars. You will be part of a vibrant bioarchaeology community here at Durham!

Term 1:

You will take Osteoprofiling, taught through lectures and practical laboratory sessions. In this module you will learn all aspects of skeletal analysis, including bone fragment identification, techniques of sex determination, estimating age-at-death (children and adults) and metrical and non-metrical assessment. As well as experience with different skeletons each week, you will be given a skeleton to work on and to present a report on at the end of term. This term you will also take Research and Study Skills in Archaeological Science, which includes lectures, workshops and practical sessions on both generic and specific archaeological science research skills. External speakers specialising in specific subject areas from “industry” and academia are invited to deliver lectures on issues related to both research and the broader profession.

Term 2:

The focus this term is on developing skills for palaeopathological analysis, as well as gaining an understanding of multidisciplinary approaches to interpretation. In Palaeopathology: Theory and Method you will learn how to record and diagnose different types of diseases in human skeletal remains, delivered via lectures and hands-on practical experiences using our extensive pathological collections.

You have a choice of:

Themes in Palaeopathology in which you will develop your critical approach to the evaluation of multiple forms of evidence, to help contextualise and interpret the human skeletal evidence for the reconstruction of specific themes (e.g. migration, or care and treatment).

OR

Isotope and Biomolecular Archaeology in which you will develop skills and understanding in isotope and DNA analysis. These techniques are of increasing importance in the study of human skeletal remains.

OR

Research Topic in Archaeology, in which you can undertake a more in-depth study of a particular period or place of interest. In the Department of Archaeology we have expertise in a wide range of time periods and over a large geographical range.

Term 3:

The research skills acquired earlier in the course will be developed further through the dissertation research project. Under the supervision of a member of academic staff you will undertake a detailed study of a particular area of interest, resulting in a significant piece of independent research. The dissertation is regarded as preparation for further professional or academic work.

Throughout the course, you will have access to an “academic adviser”, who will provide you with academic support and guidance. All members of teaching staff have weekly office hours when they are available to meet on a ‘drop-in’ basis, but the Department’s teaching staff are renowned for being friendly, approachable and helpful should you have queries at any time. The department also has an exciting programme of weekly one-hour research seminars which you are strongly encouraged to attend.

A minimum of a second-class (2:1) degree or equivalent; GPA of 3.3 or above.

Reference Requirements:

One satisfactory academic reference is required. There is no specific deadline for applications. Applications for any given academic year must be received before the start of that academic year.

All self-financing overseas students are required to pay a £1000 tuition fee deposit if an offer from the Department of Archaeology is accepted. The tuition fee deposit is paid before the University issues a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) number, which is required in order to apply for a visa. A £500 deposit is also payable by Home applicants if an offer of a place from the Department of Archaeology is accepted.

English language requirements

Full Time Fees

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Many of our postgraduates move into an academic career, either teaching or by taking up post-doctoral research positions in universities. Others join museums or national and regional heritage organisations. Some work in professional archaeology, in national or local planning departments, while others elect to use their analytical and presentation skills to gain positions in industry, commerce and government.

Our internationally respected research expertise will provide you with some of the best resources available for archaeological research. Here at Durham, we have one of only three commercial archaeology units in the UK based in a university department. You will be able to work with experts and have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and specialised facilities in the Department of Archaeology.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

• 8th in the QS World University Subject Rankings for Archaeology 2022
• 6th in The Complete University Guide 2023
• 7th in The Guardian University Guide 2023

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see our Archaeology pages.

Research Excellence Framework

• 97% of our research outputs graded world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
• 2nd in the UK top ten for the overall quality of research (REF 2021)

Facilities

We are one of the most comprehensively equipped archaeology departments in the UK. Our facilities include project rooms with state-of-the-art interactive technology, teaching laboratories, a computer suite, a photographic studio, internationally renowned scientific research laboratories in DNA, conservation, isotopes, environmental archaeology, luminescence dating, palaeopathology, soil and bone chemistry, and collections that support research in biometrics, informatics, and Anglo Saxon stone sculpture.

More information on our facilities and equipment.

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