Training & Certificate
The first basic training for obtaining the SAM certificate for persons working in osteoanthropology will take place in spring 2023. Information on this, as well as the publication of the new SAM anthropological excavation guide will follow soon.
As part of its duties, the SAM has many points of contact with commercially active colleagues. Especially in the following two areas colleagues working on a freelance basis or for excavation companies come into contact with collection material:
- Scientific-osteological analysis of SAM material as a service.
- Salvage and initial contact with skeletal material on excavations that is to be submitted to the SAM.
In both cases, commercially active osteoanthropologists are solely responsible for the safe handling and proper scientific processing of these finds. Therefore, it is obviously crucial and also in the interest of the SAM that they have appropriate qualifications. There is no standardized degree for osteoanthropologists that clearly and easily proves the necessary qualifications. In the future, the SAM wants to simplify this with a certificate. This is valid for 4 years after attending the basic training and can be updated again and again by attending SAM seminars. This is to ensure that certificate holders always remain up to date with the latest technical developments and are aware of the current requirements.
The SAM certificate is a confirmation by the State Collection of Anthropology that its holders possess the necessary professional qualifications to undertake osteoanthropological work according to its guidelines. SAM certificate holders are also committed to the professional handling and ethical treatment of human skeletal material.
SAM training/seminars cannot, of course, substitute for appropriate study. Therefore, only persons who can prove corresponding study contents will be admitted for this purpose.
