2025
Zooarcheology
Name: Zooarcheology
Code: BIO14692M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Biological Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
Zooarchaeology is a discipline focused on the study of faunal remains found in archaeological contexts, aiming to understand the use of animals by human populations of the past. Accordingly, the aim of this CU is to provide students with the theoretical and practical aspects of vertebrate zooarchaeology.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Zooarchaeology is a discipline focused on the study of faunal remains found in archaeological contexts, aiming to understand the use of animals by human populations of the past. Accordingly, the aim of this CU is to provide students with the theoretical and practical aspects of vertebrate zooarchaeology,such as:
Know contemporary approaches to the practice of zooarchaeology.
Be able to identify the main characteristics of mammal, bird and fish skeletons.
Know the methods used for sex and age identification in zooarchaeology.
Understand the interpretative potential of zooarchaeological data.
Be able to identify faunal remains in archaeological contexts.
Have developed a critical spirit about the methodologies used in zooarchaeological research.
Be able to elaborate research questions and to outline the procedures to obtain the appropriate answers.
Be able to incorporate the SDGs into zooarchaeology practice and identify the Sustainable Development Goals.
Know contemporary approaches to the practice of zooarchaeology.
Be able to identify the main characteristics of mammal, bird and fish skeletons.
Know the methods used for sex and age identification in zooarchaeology.
Understand the interpretative potential of zooarchaeological data.
Be able to identify faunal remains in archaeological contexts.
Have developed a critical spirit about the methodologies used in zooarchaeological research.
Be able to elaborate research questions and to outline the procedures to obtain the appropriate answers.
Be able to incorporate the SDGs into zooarchaeology practice and identify the Sustainable Development Goals.
Contents
1. Introduction. Basic principles and practice of zooarchaeology
2. Relations between humans and animals. Domestication. Development of faunal assemblages: taphonomy processes and recovery methods.
3. Bone tissue. Development, structure and growth.
4. Taxonomy and evolution. Anatomical and morphological aspects of faunal remains
5. Mammals
6. Birds
7. Fishes
8. Analytical methods in Zooarchaeology
8.1. Classification, recording and quantification.
8.2. Structure of animal populations. Age and sex determination.
8.3. Anthropic changes: processing and consumption.
8.4. Husbandry practices: interpretation of results.
2. Relations between humans and animals. Domestication. Development of faunal assemblages: taphonomy processes and recovery methods.
3. Bone tissue. Development, structure and growth.
4. Taxonomy and evolution. Anatomical and morphological aspects of faunal remains
5. Mammals
6. Birds
7. Fishes
8. Analytical methods in Zooarchaeology
8.1. Classification, recording and quantification.
8.2. Structure of animal populations. Age and sex determination.
8.3. Anthropic changes: processing and consumption.
8.4. Husbandry practices: interpretation of results.
Teaching Methods
TP: lectures supported by audiovisual resources, making use of reference biological collections, the observation of vertebrate skeletons, and teaching models; S: lectures by internationally renowned specialists, delivered online or on-site; TC: off-site classes held in archaeological contexts and/or involving the observation and consultation of specialised osteological collections. The Moodle platform will support the delivery of the course unit, particularly through the provision of bibliography, study materials, and protocols.
The development of this course unit also falls within the framework established by Order No. 34/2026 ? Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI may be used as a tool to support learning, research and critical reflection, but not as a substitute for human reflection, creativity or authorship. The use of AI must comply with the principles of honesty, rigour and intellectual responsibility. Practices involving plagiarism, falsification, manipulation or omission of sources will not be accepted, nor will the uncritical use of content produced by automated systems.
Any use of AI tools in the preparation of assessed work must be explicitly acknowledged, identifying the tool used and the nature of its contribution. Students must demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate, interpret and problematise AI-generated outputs, recognising their limitations, potential biases and ethical implications. The input of personal data, confidential materials or sensitive information into generative AI systems is prohibited, in accordance with the GDPR and the regulations of the University of Évora.
AI cannot be considered an author. In all cases, the student retains full responsibility for the authorship, quality, rigour and accuracy of the work submitted. The use of AI is permitted as a research support tool, an instrument for critical reflection, and a resource in active learning contexts. However, it may not be used to generate texts, answers, images or other content presented as the student?s original work, nor to automatically produce assignments, essays, reports or other assessed work without substantive intellectual input from the human author.
The use of AI without explicit disclosure, where it has contributed to the preparation of assessed work, will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in penalties equivalent to those applicable in cases of plagiarism. Whenever there are doubts regarding authorship or the process through which a piece of work was produced, the lecturer may request additional clarification, preliminary versions or other materials that allow the production process to be assessed. The lecturer may also request oral clarification or, where justified, require an oral examination before the course unit examination panel.
Originality, critical analytical ability, intellectual autonomy and interpretative competence remain fundamental assessment criteria.
The development of this course unit also falls within the framework established by Order No. 34/2026 ? Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI may be used as a tool to support learning, research and critical reflection, but not as a substitute for human reflection, creativity or authorship. The use of AI must comply with the principles of honesty, rigour and intellectual responsibility. Practices involving plagiarism, falsification, manipulation or omission of sources will not be accepted, nor will the uncritical use of content produced by automated systems.
Any use of AI tools in the preparation of assessed work must be explicitly acknowledged, identifying the tool used and the nature of its contribution. Students must demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate, interpret and problematise AI-generated outputs, recognising their limitations, potential biases and ethical implications. The input of personal data, confidential materials or sensitive information into generative AI systems is prohibited, in accordance with the GDPR and the regulations of the University of Évora.
AI cannot be considered an author. In all cases, the student retains full responsibility for the authorship, quality, rigour and accuracy of the work submitted. The use of AI is permitted as a research support tool, an instrument for critical reflection, and a resource in active learning contexts. However, it may not be used to generate texts, answers, images or other content presented as the student?s original work, nor to automatically produce assignments, essays, reports or other assessed work without substantive intellectual input from the human author.
The use of AI without explicit disclosure, where it has contributed to the preparation of assessed work, will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in penalties equivalent to those applicable in cases of plagiarism. Whenever there are doubts regarding authorship or the process through which a piece of work was produced, the lecturer may request additional clarification, preliminary versions or other materials that allow the production process to be assessed. The lecturer may also request oral clarification or, where justified, require an oral examination before the course unit examination panel.
Originality, critical analytical ability, intellectual autonomy and interpretative competence remain fundamental assessment criteria.
Assessment
Continuous assessment: assessment test (60%) and group assignment (40%), based on an archaeofaunal assemblage and including a practical component and the submission of a written report. Students who fail to complete at least one component of continuous assessment will automatically be transferred to the final assessment system (Article 110(11)(a), RAEU), with a weighting of 100%.
In accordance with Order No. 216/2026, of 22 July, where deemed necessary to assess the extent to which the student has acquired the knowledge and skills defined for the Course Unit, the teaching team may require the student to undertake an oral examination, pursuant to Article 110(13) of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora. The conditions set out in Article 116(4) and Article 118(1) of the same Regulations shall be ensured. The oral examination will account for 50% of the final grade for the Course Unit.
In accordance with Order No. 216/2026, of 22 July, where deemed necessary to assess the extent to which the student has acquired the knowledge and skills defined for the Course Unit, the teaching team may require the student to undertake an oral examination, pursuant to Article 110(13) of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora. The conditions set out in Article 116(4) and Article 118(1) of the same Regulations shall be ensured. The oral examination will account for 50% of the final grade for the Course Unit.
Teaching Staff
Accreditations and Certifications
