Archaeology
Essential Archaeological Methods
- Overview
- Module description
Essential Archaeological Methods (ARC1020)
| Staff | Dr Hajnalka Herold - Convenor |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 15 |
| ECTS Value | 7.5 |
| NQF Level | 4 |
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Duration of Module | Term 2: 11 weeks; |
Module aims
The module introduces the most widely used methods of archaeological investigation.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the key techniques used in gathering archaeological evidence
- 2. Demonstrate understanding of the different stages of the archaeological process
- 3. Appreciate the contribution of science in archaeology and the role of specialist research
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. Appreciate how and why different methods are chosen for investigating archaeology and their impact on interpretation
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 5. Understand information presented in a range of written, numerical and graphical forms.
- 6. Understand the relationship between methods, data and interpretation
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- What and where is archaeology: sites and landscapes
- Seeing archaeology from afar: aerial survey and remote sensing
- Seeing archaeology close-up: geophysics
- Digging archaeology: excavation strategies and stratigraphy
- Digging archaeology: recording and archiving
- Dating archaeology: chronology and typology
- Dating archaeology: scientific methods
- Analyzing materials and assemblages
- Spatial and numerical analysis
- Bioarchaeology: plants and animals
- Bioarchaeology: human remains
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | Lecture content |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 128 | Guided independent study, including reading, research and preparation for classes and assignments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical exercises (face to face or online; online can be synchronous or non-synchronous delivery) | 10-15 minutes | 1-6 | Verbal comment (written comment for non-synchronous delivery) |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 60 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 60 | 1.5 hours (or open book equivalent if closed note examination is not available) | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| Poster | 40 | 500 words | 1-6 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 1500-word essay | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Poster | 500 words | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading (e books):
- Cunliffe, B., Gosden, C. and Joyce, R. A. (eds) 2009: The Oxford handbook of archaeology. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- David, B. and Thomas, J. (eds) 2008: Handbook of landscape archaeology. Walnut Creek, Calif.: Left Coast Press.
- Dincauze, D. F. 2000: Environmental archaeology: principles and practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Drewett, P. 1999: Field Archaeology: An Introduction. London: UCL Press.
- Grant, J., Gorin, S. and Fleming, N. 2015: The archaeology coursebook: an introduction to themes, sites, methods and skills. London and New York: Routledge.
- Richards, M. P. and Britton, K. (eds) 2020: Archaeological science: an introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Shennan, S. 1988: Quantifying Archaeology. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
- Publications by English Heritage and Historic England on archaeological methods and techniques, available at https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/archaeological-science/
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
30/06/2014
Last revision date
22/10/2020
Key words search
Archaeology, methods
