THINK EN CIENCIA

Megalithic Osteology Project from the Late Neolithic Tombs of Lisbon

http://www.portanta.com/

Director of Program: Rui Boaventura, Archaeologist, Odivelas

Scientific Direction: Teresa Ferreira (Universidade de Coimbra) and Ana Maria Silva (Universidade de Coimbra)

Session Dates: June 16-July 4 and July 7 - July 25, 2008

The Megalithic Osteology Project from the Late Neolithic Tombs of Lisbon will use the osteological remains from several burials from the region of the Estremadura in Portugal. These collections have been stored at the Geological Museum. The internship will focus mainly on the skeletal remains from the Final Neolithic/Chalcolithic vaulted chamber tomb of Praia das Maçãs and the natural cave of Salemas that were excavated in the late 1960s and later housed in the Geological Museum though never thoroughly studied. The information obtained from these studies will be used to expand and enhance the knowledge of the Late Neolithic societies.

Students will be given more latitude and independent work loads in this internship program and are expected to be already familiar with the basic principals and methodologies of osteology and/or dental anthropology. Students will begin by cleaning, cataloging and inventorying the various collections which are comprised of hundreds of bones and teeth.

Participants will get the chance to work with collections with multiple individuals and will learn how to determine the minimum number of individuals, sex, age and pathologies in mass burial conditions. This internship will also deal with dental anthropology and morphology, the description and classification of teeth as well as the various pathologies that are evident in teeth.

Graduate students and undergraduates serious about pursuing a career in bioarchaeology, physical anthropology and archaeology are encouraged to apply. All applications will be considered. Minimum stay, 3 weeks.

Program fee with housing included: € 1,200 per 3 week session and €2,000 for 6 week session

Application deadline: June 1, 2008

Accomodations and tuition included in fees as well as a bus and metro pass. Meals and transportation are not covered.