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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Classify faunal remains prior to analysis 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119866  Classify faunal remains prior to analysis 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Archaeology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies Traditions, History and Legacies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is intended for learners who work as field or laboratory assistants on a regular basis as part of an archaeological team. It may also be useful for learners in museums who do not have formal qualifications and learners on excavation sites who assist with excavations following set procedures.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Explaining how faunal remains contribute to our knowledge of the past.
  • Identifying the main elements of animal skeletons.
  • Classifying faunal remains according to animal category.
  • Recognising modified bones. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is recommended that learners are competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard is for learners working as assistants on an archaeological site under supervision. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain how faunal remains contribute to our knowledge of the past. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information about dietary preference that can be derived from faunal remains is identified with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information about climate that can be derived from faunal remains is identified with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information about butchering practices that can be derived from faunal remains is identified with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Faunal remains accumulated by different agents are identified by characteristic markings. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify the main elements of animal skeletons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Parts of an animal skeleton are named using the correct terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Body parts are sorted into identifiable and non-identifiable parts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Identifiable parts are sorted into elements and categories. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Classify faunal remains according to animal categories. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Shells are identified as land, sea or freshwater animals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Bovid and Equid bones are identified and sorted into classes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Carnivore bones are identified and sorted by type. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Fish and marine bones are distinguished from other bones. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Bones are quantified and recorded for analysis. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Recognise modified bones. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Post mortem alterations are identified and a possible explanation is offered for the alteration. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Alterations, include, but are not limited to, cut marks, tooth marks and gnawed bones.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Evidence that bones have been modified as tools is identified with reference to use. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information in sorting archaeological material. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively in explaining how faunal remains contribute to our knowledge of the past. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Search words:

    Faunal remains; archaeology, heritage. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49772   National Certificate: Archaeology  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.