Bioanthropology teaching

The teaching of bioanthropology (or palaeoanthropology) is also one of the strengths of the ARCAN laboratory. An initial Bachelor's-level course introduces students studying prehistoric archaeology to the study of funerary worlds, starting with an introduction to the study of ancient human remains. This course includes an in-depth study of human osteology, the acquisition of methods for determining biological identity and an introduction to the study of ancient populations. A practical application through the study of an archaeological series concludes this initial learning. Master's-level teaching enables students to deepen their knowledge. This is a block course presenting the methods used in bioanthropology to approach the history of ancient populations (funerary recruitment, health status, activities, diet, mobility, etc.). A theme related to the course is developed during the seminar. Occasional lectures in other courses complete the introduction to bioanthropology as part of the training of prehistoric archaeologists.

Field placements and laboratory placements are regularly offered to students wishing to study the funerary world at both Bachelor's and Master's level. Field placements enable students to familiarise themselves with the practical study of different funerary structures: understanding the different stages involved, excavation and data recording techniques, and the processing of remains, sediments and documentation. During the laboratory placements, they join a research team or institution (university, museum, cantonal archaeology, archaeology service or ARCAN laboratory) to discover and practise the various facets of the bioanthropology profession.

All these courses can be taken by students from other universities wishing to learn the basics of the discipline. Thanks to the Triangle Azur programme, students from the universities of Neuchâtel and Lausanne can easily validate ECTS credits in their course and obtain assistance with travel expenses (for more information: https://www.triangle-azur.ch).
Students wishing to specialise in bioanthropology also have the opportunity to continue their learning through bachelor's and master's theses, as well as doctoral dissertations, supervised by specialists from the ARCAN laboratory.

The ARCAN laboratory occasionally welcomes bioanthropology trainees from a wide range of backgrounds.