Essential Archaeological Methods
| Module title | Essential Archaeological Methods |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARC1020 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Jose Iriarte (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
|---|
Module description
Essential Archaeological Methods explains how archaeology is done. It will introduce the business of finding archaeology, whether in the form of individual sites or as interconnected landscapes, and how we then investigate archaeology through excavation and the importance of stratigraphy. After gathering data the archaeological process progresses to the analysis of materials and evidence. The fundamentals of chronology and the use of historical, typological and scientific dating methods are an important element of the process. The investigation of biological evidence that tells us about natural as well as human environments in the past will be introduced. Desk-based exercises will give exposure to some of these methods.
Module aims - intentions of the module
- The module introduces the most widely used methods of archaeological investigation and gives a logical progression through the archaeological process.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Appreciate how and why different methods are chosen for investigating archaeology and their impact on interpretation
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Appreciate how and why different methods are chosen for investigating archaeology and their impact on interpretation
- 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
- Analysing 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 22.25 | 127.75 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | 11 x 2 hour classes |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 0.25 | Individual tutorial |
| Guided independent study | 127.75 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class tasks | Various practical exercises using Archaeological data | 1-6 | Oral feedback |
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 | 1-5 | Oral and 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) | Examination (1500 word essay) | 1-5 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Poster (500 words) | 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
- Aitken M.J. 1990 Science-Based Dating in Archaeology. London: Longman.
- Bowden, M. 1999: Unravelling the Landscape. Tempus
- Brothwell, D.R. and Pollard, A.M. (eds) 2001 Handbook of Archaeological Sciences. Chichester: Wiley.
- Drewett, P. 1999: Field Archaeology: An Introduction. London.
- Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. 2008 Archaeology: theories, methods and practice 5th Edition. London: Thames and Hudson.
- Shennan, S. 1988 Quantifying Archaeology. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
- Wilkinson, K. and Stevens, C. 2003: Environmental Archaeology. Stroud: Tempus.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 30/06/2014 |
| Last revision date | 09/01/2019 |