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The University of Edinburgh: Human Osteoarchaeology

Institution The University of Edinburgh View institution profile
Department School of History, Classics and Archaeology
Web https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying
Study type Taught

Summary

The scientific investigation of archaeological skeletal remains, also known as Bioarchaeology or Biological Anthropology, gives unique insights into human history. Demographic shifts, environmental changes, living conditions, migrations, the spread of diseases and the impact of violence and conflict all leave traces on the skeleton.

The MSc in Human Osteoarchaeology provides students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills to understand these important skeletal biographies and interpret them in their cultural context (biocultural approach), at the individual and the population level, combining theoretical learning with hands-on practice.

The programme draws on a variety of techniques, ranging from visual examination of the whole skeleton to the biomolecular analysis of small bone samples. Students gain invaluable hands-on experience with the School's extensive Scottish skeletal collection. There is also the opportunity to participate in a mock training excavation situated in the scenic veterinary school at the foot of the Pentland Hills.

It is an exciting interdisciplinary field that draws on a variety of techniques, ranging from visual examination of the whole skeleton to the biomolecular analysis of small bone samples.

This MSc provides the skills required to:

  • identify human remains, through detailed analytical skills

  • apply a wide-range of methods employed in the study of human remains, including analysis of skeletal pathology

  • quantify and analyse scientific data

  • understand skeletal biographies

  • apply social theory

  • interpret human remains within their cultural context at both an individual and a population level

Combining theoretical learning with hands-on practice, we will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential to your handling and analysis of remains recovered from archaeological sites.

Teaching and student research projects benefit from our wide range of lab facilities and the programme has a close relationship with the nearby National Museum of Scotland, Museum of Edinburgh, and Surgeons’ Hall Museums.

Focal areas of research of staff involved in the MSc Human Osteoarchaeology programme include:

  • Bioarchaeology/ Human Osteoarchaeology/ Palaeopathology / Biological Anthropology

  • Interpersonal violence and conflict

  • Experimental bioarchaeology

  • Professional standards, ethics and legislation in human osteoarchaeology.

  • Historical bioarchaeology

  • Bioarchaeology of children and childhood

  • Palaeodietary reconstruction

  • Archaeology of identity

  • Human–environment interactions

  • The transition from hunter-gatherer to farming communities

  • The development of complex societies

  • Social and health inequalities in the past

  • Diet and health

  • Cultural heritage perspectives on the past, present, and future

MSc

Edinburgh University

Edinburgh. Extraordinary futures await.

The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50, and placed 34th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Our position as one of Britain’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research …

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