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Written in Bone

An Introduction to Forensic and Bio-archaeology

Michael Westaway, Rob Bruce, Shaun Adams, Carney Matheson, and Rainer Grün

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course would suit anyone interested in forensic archaeology or anthropology. It may be of particular interest to students of archaeology, and those involved in police work, or with investigating human remains. You can use the hashtag #FLskeletalanalysis to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Principles and tools of forensic and biological archaeology
Legislative requirements for the discovery of human skeletal remains
Using craniometrics, isotopes, DNA and Carbon 14 to read human skeletal remains
Sensitivities involved in working with human skeletal remains
Role of Indigenous partnerships in the archaeological recovery of human skeletal remains
Explore three sites from around the world

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Reviews summary

Engaging introduction to forensic and bio-archaeology

According to learners, Written in Bone: An Introduction to Forensic and Bio-archaeology offers a largely positive and highly engaging experience. Students consistently praise the clear explanations and passionate instructors who make complex topics accessible. It is widely considered an excellent starting point for those new to the field, providing a comprehensive overview of forensic and bio-archaeology, including legislative requirements, scientific techniques, and the sensitive handling of human remains. However, some experienced learners note it may be too basic for those with prior knowledge, suggesting it's primarily for beginners. The course's real-world examples and well-structured modules are frequently highlighted as strengths.

Covers a wide array of topics but may lack advanced depth.

"The breadth of topics covered was impressive, from legislative aspects to isotopic analysis."

"Good course for an overview, but not enough depth for someone already familiar with archaeology. It's definitely for beginners."

"Found it too basic. I have a background in biological anthropology and was hoping for more detailed scientific explanations..."

Includes useful real-world examples and practical applications.

"As a police officer, this course gave me invaluable insight into the forensic side of human remains discovery. The legislative requirements section was particularly useful for my job."

"The use of real-world examples and the exploration of different sites were fantastic."

"I learned a lot about the ethical considerations and legal frameworks, which isn't often covered."

Approaches sensitive subjects with appropriate care and professionalism.

"The content was presented clearly and respectfully, especially when dealing with sensitive topics like human remains and indigenous perspectives."

"The sensitivities involved were handled very professionally."

"The respectful approach to sensitive subjects... made it a truly enriching experience."

Provides a strong foundation for those new to the subject.

"As a complete beginner, I found the material incredibly engaging and well-explained."

"A solid introduction... overall, it's a great starting point."

"Truly introductory yet comprehensive. It's fine for someone with no prior knowledge."

"I found it very accessible even with no background, a great stepping stone."

Well-explained concepts by passionate and engaging instructors.

"Absolutely fascinating! I found the material incredibly engaging and well-explained. The instructors were excellent..."

"This course exceeded my expectations. The content was presented clearly and respectfully... The instructors' passion for the subject really shone through."

"Outstanding course! The clarity of explanations, the respectful approach to sensitive subjects, and the engaging way the material was delivered made it a truly enriching experience."

Suggestions for more visual aids and updated external resources.

"While mostly excellent, a few of the older external links were not working anymore."

"I wish there were more visual aids for some of the complex biological processes."

"A minor suggestion would be to update some of the external resources as a few links were broken."

Career center

Learners who complete Written in Bone: An Introduction to Forensic and Bio-archaeology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 28 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Written in Bone: An Introduction to Forensic and Bio-archaeology.

Bones

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Provides a broad overview of forensic anthropology, encompassing both theoretical and practical aspects, and includes case studies to illustrate the application of these concepts in real-world scenarios.

Written in Bone

Topics Covered

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Engaging introduction to forensic and bio-archaeology

Career center

Reading list

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