Introduction to Physical Anthropology Laboratory Techniques
ANTRHO 02L
Dr. Annlee Dolan
Spring 2009
SHM 236
T 6:00-9:00
Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ANTHR 02
Office Hours: MTWThF 10-11 (SHM 320)
email: adolan@deltacollege.edu
Course Description:
Physical anthropology is the study of humans as a biological species within the
framework of evolution. This course is designed as a laboratory course which
supplements ANTHRO 02. The student will become familiar with the process used in
identifying and analyzing human skeletal remains, the physical evidence used in the
study of primate evolution including fossilization, comparative osteology of non-human
primates, primate behavior, paleoanthropology, and the development of stone tool
technologies. By working with the departmental collection of fossil casts, the student will
become familiar with the stages of human and primate evolution.
Required Texts:
France, Diane
2007 Lab Manual and Workbook for Physical Anthropology. Wadsworth Pub.
Course Goals:
1. Understand the scientific method and illustrate with specific examples its application
to research in physical anthropology.
2. Identify the bones of the human skeleton and the various important functional features
of the bones.
3. Identify and interpret the significance of key anatomical features of the non-human
primate skeletons introduced in the laboratory.
4. Identify the taxonomic position and the diagnostic traits of the fossils cited as evidence
for hominid evolution.
5. Describe the various stages of cultural evolution associated with the development of
hominid populations, including an understanding of the advancement in tool
technologies.
Course Objectives:
1. Compare and contrast the various methods of bone formation/function and define and
discuss the significance of the various anatomical directions used in describing the human
and quadruped skeleton.
2. Demonstrate the anthropometric techniques used in the study of the human skeleton.
3. Understand the methods used by forensic anthropologists in the identification and
interpretation of human skeletal remains.
4. Construct a taxonomy of the non-human primates introduced during the semester and
understand the evolutionary relationship between the various groups.
5. Analyze those fossils cited as evidence for hominoid/hominid evolution from the
Paleocene through the Miocene epochs.
Outline of Topics:
1. Introduction to working with Bones
2. Scientific Method
3. Human Osteology
4. Introduction to Forensics
5. Introduction to Anthropometry
6. Introduction to the Primates
7. Paleoanthropology
Course Requirements:
Class attendance is mandatory for participation in “In Class Assignments and
Exercises.” In addition to attending class, you may need to participate in several
laboratory demonstrations. You will be tested on material both from class and your
reading assignments.
Obligation of the Student:
1. It is your responsibility as a student to come to class prepared. If you have any
questions or concerns about the course material, please come and see me during
my office hours.
2. It is important to respect others who are attending class with you. Therefore it is
unacceptable to arrive to class late, talk or disturb the class during the lecture.
Cell phones must be turned off!
3. PLAGIARISM is a serious academic offense, which may result in a course
grade of 0. Please ensure that you summarize all information from your sources
in your own words and make sure that you do not imitate the sentence structure of
your source. Cheating may also result in a course grade of 0.
Examinations and Assignments
Lab Assignments
Primate Zoo Assignment
Test 1
Test 2
Final Exam
30%
10%
15%
15%
30%
ALL exams and assignments are mandatory. Students must be on time for examsNo excuses! There will be no make-up exams so please make arrangements to be
here on time! All students must write the final exam.
Useful Resources:
You may be unfamiliar with some of the medical terminology that appears in the texts. If
so, please consult the online Medline dictionary provided by the US Library of Medicine:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html
Measurements in your text are given using the metric system. For conversion to the
imperial system please see:
http://www.valuecreatedreview.com/convert.htm
Course Schedule:
Jan
13
Introduction to Physical Anthropology, The Human Body, Bone and
Anatomical Directions, Joints (Pp. 59-65)
Jan
20
The Appendicular Skeleton: Arms and Legs (Pp. 77-86)
Jan
27
Axial Skeleton (Pp. 72-77)
Feb
3
Skull and Teeth (Pp. 65-72)
Feb
10
Biological Sex, Age at Death (93-106, 279-301)
Feb
17
Stature, Bone Pathologies, Traumas and cultural practices that shape bone
(313-314, 251-268)
Feb
24
Test #1
Mar
3
Early Primate Evolution (Chapter 8)
Mar
10
Strepsirhines vs. Haplorhines
Mar
17
Great Apes (Chapter 9, continued)
Mar
24
Comparing the Living Primates (Chapters 6 and 7)
Mar
31
HOLIDAY- no class
Apr
7
HOLIDAY- no class
Apr
14
Test #2
Apr
21
Earliest Hominids and Australopithecines (Chapter 10)
Apr
28
Homo habilis, Homo erectus (Chapter 11)
May
5
Neandertals, Homo sapien sapiens (Chapter 11, continued)
Primate Zoo Assignment Due!
May
12
Mandatory Study Period