LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aim is to provide the students with the following ability and knowledge:

1) teoretical and practical explanation of the collection, preparation and storage tecniques of insects (and other artropods) fragments from funerary contexts;

2) decription of the ecological groups of insects associated with huma remains, offerings and contaminations

3) interpretation of the entomological data based on arcaheological hypotheses

4)Evalution of the humans populations based on the ectoparasites collected from the burrials.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate a:

1. general understanding of application of Entomology in the archaeological context
2. general understanding of the role of insects in human and other animals’ life (food contamination, diseases transmission, etc)
3. general understanding of the colonization process of cadaver, food and other goods, and environment and of the factors affecting the process.
4. comprehensive understanding of the factor affecting insect development
5. general knowledge of the systematics of the insects and of their identification
6. systematic understanding of the contribution of insects to season of death estimation
7. systematic understanding of the contribution of insects to post mortem transfer identification
8. comprehensive understanding of the body and environment alterations caused by insects

The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. correctly sample, fix and study insects from arcaheological contexts
2. identify the different insect developmental stages
3. identify the species of insects involved in body colonisation
4. identify the species of insects associated with food, human goods and urban environments
5. recostruuct the funerary practices by mean of the insects from the context
6. to evaluate body, object and environment alterations caused by insects

TEACHING METHODS

The module consists of lectures, discussions on real cases and laboratory activities. Since activities are planned to develop data analysis skills and to apply the acquired knowledge during practical and methodological activities, attendance at lessons and lab activity is strongly recommended.

Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The modul syllabus consists on the presentation and discussion of the following topics

The death: Decomposition, mummification, adipocere formation

Insect: General Anatomy, Biology  and Physiology

Insect development and reproduction

Factors affecting the insect development and their taphonomy 

Systematics (Phylogeny and classification) and General Insect identification

Insects of arcaheological interest

The colonization waves 

Factors affecting the body colonisation

Sampling, preparation, identification

Food pest

Insects  from urban contexts

Lesions and alterations caused by animal activities

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the slides used during the lectures and other teaching material will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons / laboratory activities together with other selected papers in pdf format.

The suggested books are available together with other books for further study at the lecturer office.

Recommended texts for any further information:

David B. Rivers, Gregory A. Dahlem 2014. The Science of Forensic Entomology. Willey Blackwell