This course offers students training in the anatomy of the human skeleton and techniques used in the individuation of skeletal remains. Students will learn a range of osteological techniques for estimating age-at-death, biological sex, stature, ‘health’ and behaviour from human skeletal remains. We will cover the development, form, and function of human hard tissues (bones and teeth). Through research case studies, laboratory exercises, and interactive in-class activities, students will critically interrogate topical issues in the field of human skeletal analysis; they will also reflect on ethical considerations surrounding the analysis and interpretation of human remains. Acquired skills will be of value to any students interested in skeletal studies including vertebrate biology, comparative skeletal anatomy, medicine, palaeontology, human and primate evolution, forensic sciences and archaeology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. develop advanced practical skills in the identification and analysis of human skeletal tissues;
2. describe the fundamentals of human skeletal growth and metabolic processes in a developmental and functional context;
3. interpret skeletal data and communicate your findings;
4. provide critical perspectives on topical issues in human skeletal analysis;
5. develop an awareness of the diverse ways of engaging ethically with human remains through practice, reflection, and discussion.

Additional Course Costs

Clean white lab coats are compulsory attire for in-person lab sessions on campus (see required resources below).

Examination Material or equipment

• Assessments are limited open-book for this course. You are permitted to bring ONE SINGLE-SIDED, HANDWRITTEN A4 PAGE of notes with you into the assessments. All notes must be in your own words. You may include diagrams on your notes page, as long as these are also hand-drawn (tracing an image is also OK). If you find handwriting tricky due to an EAP condition, you are welcome to type this page and print it out, using a minimum font size of 10pt and narrow margins.
• We will supply any equipment required for the mid-semester practical test, including standards (you are not required to memorise these). Just bring yourself, your lab coat, your student ID card, and a pen!

Required Resources

Core Textbook:

• White TD, and Folkens PA. 2005. The Human Bone Manual. Boston: Academic Press.
• This text is available as an eBook via the library catalogue or can be purchased online for about $55. This books comes in super handy for the labs so I highly recommend purchasing a copy!

Lab Attire:

• Labs will be held in a 'wet' lab space in biology this year.
• You MUST wear a clean white labcoat and closed-toed shoes to all in-person lab sessions. No lab coat or shoes, no entry.
• Long hair MUST be tied up so that it does not dangle into things/onto benches - you don't want chemicals or bone fragments all up in there!
• If you need a lab coat, these can be purchased from any workwear or uniform supply shop (e.g., The Lab Coat Company, uniforms.com.au).

Recommended Resources

The following titles are not compulsory reading, but will provide extra background information that may assist you in completing this course:

• Christesen, A. M., Passalacqua, N. V. & Bartelink, E. J. 2019. Forensic Anthropology: Current Methods and Practice (Second Edition). San Diego: Academic Press.
• Cunningham, C., Scheuer, L. & Black, S. 2016. Development Juvenile Osteology (Second Edition). London: Academic Press.
• Hillson S. 1996. Dental Anthropology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Hillson, S. 2005. Teeth( Second Edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Larsen CS. 2015. Bioarchaeology: Interpreting Behavior from the Human Skeleton (Second Edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Staff Feedback

You will receive both individual and group feedback on assessments as follows:

• Correct answers for online quizzes will be released after everyone has done the test.
• Mid-semester test scripts will not be returned to you. However, you will be able to see your mark in Canvas, and you are very welcome to come and view your scripts by appointment.
• For the reflection assessment, individual grading rubrics and brief written feedback will be provided to you via the Gradebook and reflection assessment submission portal in Canvas.
• Marks and feedback for the final practical test are available by request after the final grades for the course have been released on 2 July.
• Summaries of how the class went as a whole will be shared in writing on Canvas and verbally in lectures for all but the final assessment.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Lab Registration, Attendance, and Etiquette

• You must attend one 90 minute lab a week as part of this course, starting from Week 1. Labs are on Thursdays in Gould 1.03, with sessions offered at 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm, and 3:30pm. Please register for one lab session of your choice prior to labs beginning in Week 1. Please register early to avoid missing out on your preferred session.
• All labs are in person - there is no online option available.
• Please ensure you have are wearing a lab coat and closed-toed shoes for each lab. Long hair must be tied up.
• We have limited materials available in the lab as real bones are rare and precious, and models are mega spendy! Although we provide as many examples of skeletal anatomy as we can and supplement these with printed images where needed, please make sure you share resources and actively move around the lab to ensure everyone gets a go with these materials.
• Group work in the lab is encouraged as learning with other people can really boost your knowledge!
• If you miss a lab, please independently complete the lab worksheet for that week using the learning materials and model answers provided on Canvas. If you still have questions after consulting the model answers, feel free to get in touch with any of the teaching staff.

Assigned Course Readings:

• This course involves assigned (required) readings, which must completed prior to each lecture.
• These readings will provide you with critical background knowledge for each lecture and increase your understanding of key course concepts.
• The readings for each week are listed under 'Weekly Activities' on Canvas.
• All readings are available via the library website or as PDFs on Canvas.

Referencing

• This course employs the Harvard referencing style. Where applicable, all assessments must be referenced using this style.

BIAN2015/6517 Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for the answers to commonly asked Human Skeletal Analysis questions! If you have questions that are not answered below, please check the Class Summary and Wattle (e.g., assessment guidelines, noticeboards) for information. If you cannot find the answer, please feel free to post your question to the 'Questions About the Course' thread in the 'Student Chat' section on Wattle.

I’ve missed a lab as I was unwell. What do I do?

You can catch up by completing the lab worksheet you have missed using the resources on Canvas. Model answers will be released at the start of the following week so that you can check you are on the right track. If you still have questions at this point, feel free to contact the teaching team for assistance.

If you are going to miss a test due to illness, you must apply for an extension before the due date if you are able. If you cannot apply before the due date and apply late, you must include an explanation of why your extension request is late in your application.

I’ve missed a lecture as I was unwell. What do I do?

Please watch the lecture recording available in Echo360 to catch yourself up.

Help! I forgot about the test!

If you were sick or can argue that you had extenuating circumstances that caused you to miss the test, you may apply for an extension. You will need to provide evidence to support your request. If you have simply forgotten about the test, we are sadly unable to help you. We recommend saving all the test dates into your calendar to avoid pain, and we will give reminders over the Wattle noticeboard and in classes to help you. It is your responsibility to keep up to date with both notices and lectures so you are receiving these reminders.

I had to work and missed the test, can you help?

You are notified of all the test dates two weeks before semester starts so that you can arrange your work shifts around your university commitments. As such, work is not a valid reason for missing the test. The only exception is where you have been called in by your work for an emergency. In this case you may apply for extension. You will need to supply evidence from your employer (e.g. a letter from your supervisor or boss) that your work commitments were unavoidable.

How do I apply for an extension?

Please apply for an assessment extension using the ANU ECA and Extension Request Form on or before the due date. You will need to supply supporting documentation with your application, e.g., a doctor’s certificate. If you are unable to apply before the due date, you may still apply for an extension, but you will also need to provide an explanation of the reasons preventing you from applying on or before the due date (e.g., in hospital very sick). This also must be supported by documentary evidence.

 

How are the lab test marks calculated?

Please see the information on the online lab tests under 'assessments' above.

What will happen with lectures on public holidays? Will we have make-up classes?

We have two lectures on public holiday this semester (Monday 9 March and Monday 27 April). For these weeks, you will be provided with a lecture recording on the Tuesday instead. As such, there are no make-up classes scheduled. It's recommended that you try and watch these recordings as soon as you get a chance, as there are also online quizzes in some weeks with public holidays. 

I have an unavoidable clash during the lectures/labs, what should I do?

Short-term lecture clashes can be managed by watching lecture recordings, or getting notes from your friends.

If you miss a lab, you can catch up by completing the lab worksheet using the resources on Canvas. Model answers will be released at the start of the following week so that you can check you are on the right track.

Long term clashes with labs may limit your ability to complete this course. In this instance, please contact the teaching team for advice.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture: Introduction and Anatomy Basics; Lab: Postcranial Anatomy 1
2	Lecture: Postcranial Anatomy; Lab: Postcranial Anatomy 2
3	Lecture: Cranial and Dental Anatomy; Lab: Cranial and Dental Anatomy	Online Quiz 1 (10%, on Week 1 and 2 Material)
4	Lecture: Joints and Muscles; Lab: Joints and Muscles
5	Lecture: Movement and Habitual Behaviour; Lab: Habitual Behaviour	Online Quiz 2 (10%, on Week 3 and 4 Material)
6	Lecture: Ethics and Repatriation; Lab: Hands-On Practical Test [Basics]	Hands-On Practical Test [Basics] (25%, in Lab Time)
7	Lecture: Skeletal Development and Microstructure; Lab: Skeletal Development and Microstructure
8	Lecture: Subadult Age Estimation; Lab: Subadult Age Estimation	Critical Reflection 1 due 9am Tuesday 28 April (20%, on Ethics)
9	Lecture: Adult Age Estimation; Lab: Adult Age Estimation
10	Lecture: Sex Estimation; Lab: Sex Estimation
11	Lecture: Biodistance and Ancestry; Lab: Critiquing the Race Concept
12	Lecture: Revision Lecture; Lab: Hands-On Practical Test [Advanced]	Hands-On Practical Test [Advanced] (35%, in Lab Time)

Tutorial Registration

You must register for a lab session of your choice prior to labs beginning in Week 1. To register, please go to MyTimetable. This software enables students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. If you need help with MyTimetable, please see this website.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
2 x Online Quizzes	20 %	*	*	1,3
Hands-On Practical Test [Basics]	25 %	02/04/2026	20/04/2026	1,3,5
Critical Reflection	20 %	28/04/2026	11/05/2026	4,5
Hands-On Practical Test [Advanced]	35 %	28/05/2026	*	1,2,3,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

There are no participation grades for this course and it is up to you, as independent adults, whether you come to lecture or labs. However, I strongly encourage you to attend as many of these as you can to help you keep up with the course content and practice skeletal analysis techniques you will need to know for the tests. It's also just nice to see your faces! If you are unable to make lectures or labs, it is possible to catch these up independently on Canvas. Please see the course FAQs below and on Wattle for more information.

Examination(s)

All assessments are 'internal' for this course and there is no formal, final examination.

Assessment Task 1

2 x Online Quizzes

These two, 15 minute long online quizzes will examine the knowledge you have gathered from lab practical sessions, readings, and lectures, and are designed to help you learn major concepts, skeletal anatomy terminology, identification, and basic techniques efficiently. These tests will be administered using the Canvas quiz function and will cover material from the two weeks before the test week to give you time to revise. Test questions will be multi-choice and may include identifying and naming bones and bony features from photos, siding bones and providing justification using photos and 3D models, applying methods learned in the lab, and explaining the functional significance of certain landmarks (fancy speak for 'what a landmark does').

 

Detailed assessment instructions and practice questions will be provided on Canvas.

 

Value: 20% (10% per test).

Due Dates: You have a two-day window in which to complete your 15-minute long online test. Each two day window will start at 9am on the Thursday and will automatically close at 5pm on the Friday of each test week. The times and dates of each test window are as follows.

Online Test 1: 9am Thursday 12 March to 5pm Friday 13 March

Online Test 2: 9am Thursday 26 March to 5pm Friday 27 March

Estimated return date: Marks will be returned on Monday 16 March and Monday 30 March by 5pm

Assessment Task 2

Hands-On Practical Test [Basics]

This 40 minute long Practical Test, also known as the Mid-Semester Practical Test, will take place during your scheduled lab session in Week 6. The test will assess the the foundational practical knowledge you have gained labs and lectures in Weeks 1-5. The test will be structured as a circuit test. This means that during this test, you will cycle through a series of stations. At each station you will be asked a series of short answer questions (i.e., there will be no list of answers to choose from, just a blank space for you to write your answers in). When the buzzer goes, you will move to the next station and answer the next question. This sequence is repeated until you have completed the entire circuit. Test questions will include identifying and naming bones and bony features from pictures, specimens and models, identifying tooth types and whether they are upper or lower, identifying different types of joints and their function, describing the form and function of certain bony features, and siding bones and justifying your answer.

You are advised to start early on your study for this test as it requires you to know skeletal anatomy 'off the top of your head' - since it is a short-answer test, there are no lists of answers to help you as in a multi-choice test. You are permitted to bring one page of notes with you in the test to help you (please see above). Attending as many labs as you can and completing the online lab tests will be very helpful, as you get a chance to practice with all the skeletal specimens you will see in the test. Many people also find it useful to revise each week's content as they go, as this prevent you having a pile up of information to learn the week of the test! Finally, the short online tests (please see above) will help you identify areas that you might need to work on.

 

Detailed assessment instructions and practice questions will be provided on Canvas.

 

Value: 25%

Due Dates: Thursday 2 April in your usual lab time

Estimated return date: Monday 20 April by 5pm

Assessment Task 3

Critical Reflection

For this assessment, you must produce one short (1000 word) reflection on a topical issue in skeletal analysis. Reflective writing is a style you may not have encountered before and is different to essays and other forms of academic work. Where something like an essay asks you to summarise and critique published literature written by others, reflective writing involves describing how you operate as a skeletal analyst and explaining why you do what you do (e.g., the decisions, beliefs, values, perspectives that influence your actions). While you are strongly encouraged to support your reflection with reference published research, the focus should always be on exploring who you are as a 'bones person'. Reflections are different for everyone and there are no right or wrong answers - you will do well as long as you genuinely try to address the 'hows' and the 'whys' of your skeletal analysis practice. This semester's reflection will focus on ethics in bioarchaeology. Reflections should be written in first person (e.g., Having done X, I learned that that Y; I now recognise this in my bones work by doing Z).

Detailed assessment instructions and practice questions will be provided on Canvas.

Word count: 1000 words

Value: 20%

Due Date: 9am Tuesday 28 April

Estimated return date: Monday 11 May by 5pm

Assessment Task 4

Hands-On Practical Test [Advanced]

This 40 minute long Practical Test, also known as the Final Practical Test, will take place during your scheduled lab session in Week 12. The test will assess the the advanced practical knowledge you have gained labs and lectures in Weeks 7-10. As with the mid-semester test, this final practical will be structured as a circuit test. This means that during this test, you will cycle through a series of stations. This time around however, you will be given longer at each station, given the more complex nature of the questions. At each station, you will be asked to identify and side bones and use bioarchaeology standards covered in lectures and labs to estimate age for both adults and subadults, as well as sex for adults. Any of the methods and bones we have covered in class could be examined in the test, meaning you will need to know how to apply them all, just in case. You will be asked to give your estimates, and justifications for these, as answers to short answer questions (i.e., there will be no list of answers to choose from, just a blank space for you to write your answers in). When the buzzer goes, you will move to the next station and answer the next questions. This sequence is repeated until you have completed the entire circuit.

You are advised to start early on your study for this test as it requires you to be able to apply any age or sex standard covered in class to any bone covered in class. Attending as many labs as you can is the best way to prepare for this test, as you get a chance to practice all of the methods that could be examined. Please note that you do NOT need to memorise the age and sex estimation standards - these will be provided to you at each station. You are permitted to bring one page of notes with you in the test to help you (please see above).

 

Detailed assessment instructions and practice questions will be provided on Canvas.

 

Value: 35%

Due Dates: Thursday 28 May in your usual lab time

Estimated return date: The results and feedback for this final assessment will be available on request after Semester 1 marks release on 2 July, as per Section 37 of the ANU student assessment policy.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

You will complete the in-person mid-semester test will using printed paper scripts. Ensure that you complete the cover sheets provided on the front of the test scripts to ensure your test result will be linked to your student ID. During the test time you will complete the questions inside the test script as directed by your demonstrators. At the conclusion of the test or exam, hand your script in to your demonstrator or exam supervisor as instructed. Please note, any test scripts that leave the room will be invalidated.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment items without an extension is NOT permitted for this course.

This means that if you miss a test or assessment and you have not been granted an extension to sit the test/submit the assessment at another time, you will fail this assessment. To apply for an extension, please complete an application through the ECA and Extension Request Portal on or before the assessment due date. Please note that you must provide documentation to support your application and that extensions cannot be granted after the due date unless you can demonstrate that extenuating circumstances stopped you applying for the extension beforehand. Reminders about test and assessment dates will be provided via the Canvas Noticeboard and in lectures to support you in completing these assessments. It is your responsibility to keep up to date with these notices.

• Instructions on how to use the application portal can be found here.
• To learn more about how extensions work at the ANU, please see the ANU coursework extension Policy and Procedure.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

• All grades will be recorded in the Canvas Gradebook
• Online test scripts and reflection feedback will be returned via Canvas when all class members have completed the assessment.
• Hard copy (in person) test scripts will not be returned to you, but can be viewed by appointment after everyone has completed the test.
• Final test marks and feedback will be available by request only after Semester 1 marks are released in June.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assessments is not permitted for this course.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students