Course summary
Human skeletal remains are the most direct evidence of past lifeways and their scientific investigation gives unique insights into human history. Bioarchaeology, also known as osteoarchaeology (the study of archaeological human remains), is a subdiscipline of biological anthropology. 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. Demographic shifts, environmental changes, migrations, lifestyles, numerous diseases and the impact of violence and conflict all leave traces on the skeleton. 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
- 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
- Bioarchaeology and isotope studies
- Egyptology
- Roman and ‘Celtic’ archaeology
- The Byzantine World and Late Antiquity
- Megalithic monuments
- Prehistory of Europe, the Mediterranean and North-East Africa
- Early civilisations and urban societies
- The archaeology of Scotland
- Cultural heritage and sustainability
- Digital heritage and heritage policy
- Archaeomaterials analysis
- Human evolution
- Conflict archaeology
- Medieval archaeology
- Computational archaeology
- Marine and coastal archaeology
- Buildings archaeology
- Archaeological survey-Landscape Archaeology
- Bioarchaeology/ Human Osteoarchaeology/ Biological Anthropology
- Human–environment interactions
- The transition from hunter-gatherer to farming communities
- The development of complex societies
- Cultural heritage perspectives on the past, present, and future
Modules
See our website for detailed programme information.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
The University of Edinburgh
Student Recruitment and Admissions
33 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh
EH8 9JS