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Archaeological and Forensic Science Practicals

Module description

It is common knowledge that archaeologists occasionally carry out work for the police at buried crime scenes, but the methodological links between archaeological science and forensics are far more widespread. In this module you will be introduced to those methodological connections and have the opportunity to practically engage with a number of shared techniques, in the field, the lab and at the microscope. You will be introduced to techniques for locating buried evidence, extracting and sampling evidence from soils, and high and low power microscopy. To get the most out of this module some science at A level (or equivalent) is desirable but not essential.

Module aims - intentions of the module

• To introduce you to key scientific approaches that are of common value to both archaeological and forensic sciences and provide you with basic practical skills in relevant techniques. You will be introduced to techniques for locating buried evidence, extracting and sampling evidence from soils, and high and low power microscopy.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Know and understand the basic principles behind locating buried evidence through geophysics and other techniques
• 2. Know and understand the basic principles of extracting macro and microscopic evidence from soils, and relevant sampling procedures
• 3. Know and understand the basic principles of microscopy
• 4. Demonstrate basic practical skills in geophysics, laboratory soil extraction techniques and use of high and low power optical microscopes.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Demonstrate basic laboratory and field skills
• 6. Work safely in the field and laboratory
• 7. Have a competent overview of the use and acquisition of data
• 8. Interpret a variety of information forms and assimilate/manage numerical and graphical data
• 9. Deploy data from technical reports

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 10. Acquire a range of observational and analytical skills which are applicable in the wider world
• 11. Contribute to group discussions and ask pertinent questions
• 12. Co-operate with and learn from peers in a practical context

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:

• Introduction to module; overview lecture on archaeological and forensic sciences
• Lecture on locating buried sites; geophysics
• Geophysical practical 1
• Geophysical practical 2
• Geophysical processing
• Lecture on extracting evidence from soil and sampling
• Laboratory extraction practical 1
• Laboratory extraction practical 2
• Lecture on methods of microscopy
• Microscopy practical 1
• Microscopy practical 2

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

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

• Brothwell, D.R. and Pollard, A.M. (eds) 2001 Handbook of Archaeological Sciences. Chichester: Wiley.
• Hunter, J. and Cox, M, 2005 Forensic Archaeology: advances in theory and practice. London: Routledge.
• Hunter, J., Roberts, C. and Martin, A. 1996 Studies in Crime: An Introduction to Forensic Archaeology. London: Batsford.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=73

Key words search

Forensic, Archaeology, Methodology