Digital Approaches to Archaeological Data
| Module title | Digital Approaches to Archaeological Data |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARC3132 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Ioana Oltean (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides an introduction to key digital techniques for acquiring, structuring, analysing and disseminating information about archaeological artefacts and landscapes. You will gain an understanding of several major digital methodologies including 3D modelling, linked open data, image manipulation and geospatial technologies. No specific prior knowledge is required, though a basic familiarity with computers is assumed.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to provide an overview and practical understanding of how digital technologies can be employed for the study and dissemination of archaeological data in both academic and public contexts. You will be introduced to key digital methodologies and their applications, and will gain some basic practical skills in techniques that are changing the way we interact with archaeological source materials. You will also develop your knowledge of how to reflect critically on digital methods, helping you to assess the relevance and potential of new techniques they encounter in future.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understand the role of digital methods in analysing and disseminating archaeological data
- 2. Identify appropriate ways to structure metadata about artefacts and their related entities
- 3. Demonstrate basic competence in specific digital techniques
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Gain competence in acquiring, structuring and analysing archaeological data
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Develop capacity for critical reflection
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 the course and history of use of digital approaches to archaeological data
- Metadata, ontologies and Linked Open Data
- 3D modelling 1: photogrammetry and the modelling of cultural artefacts
- 3D modelling 2: LIDAR and the modelling of landscapes
- Documenting virtual reconstructions
- Mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Image manipulation and illustration for publication
- Crowdsourcing for cultural heritage analysis
- Multispectral imaging
- Material analysis and microscopy
- Critical discussion: the application of digital technologies in archaeology
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 | Lectures with discussion and practical elements |
| Guided independent study | 128 | Reading, and interaction with digital resources |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation assessing a specific digital methodology | 40 | 10 slides plus reference list (1000 words equivalent) | 1, 3-5 | Oral and written |
| Project Portfolio designed to demonstrate the students appreciation of the wider issues of the subject | 60 | 2500 words (equivalent), including digital outputs, illustrations and figures | 1-2,4-5 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation assssing a specific digital methodology | Recorded Presentation assssing a specific digital methodology (10 slides plus references, 1000 words equivalent) | 1,3-5 | Referral/deferral period |
| Project portfolio designed to demonstrate the students appreciation of the wider issues of the subject | Project portfolio designed to demonstrate the students appreciation of the wider issues of the subject (2500 word equivalent including digital outputs, illustrations and figures) | 1-2,4-5 | 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
-
- Cameron, F. (2021) The future of digital data, heritage and curation in a more-than human world. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge..
- Favro, D. (2006), ‘In the eyes of the beholder: Virtual Reality Recreations and academia’, Journal of Roman Archaeology Supp. 61, Pp. 321-334
- Giannini T, Bowen JP. Museums and Digital Culture: From Reality to Digitality in the Age of COVID-19. Heritage. 2022; 5(1):192-214. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage5010011
- Klein, L.F. & Gold, M.K., eds. 2016. Debates in the Digital Humanities. 2016 Edition. University of Minnesota Press
- L. Richardson (2013): A Digital Public Archaeology?. Papers from the Institute of Archaeology , UCL, 23(1): 10, pp. 1-12
- Bodenhamer, D. J., J. Corrigan and T. M. Harris (eds) (2010), The Spatial Humanities: GIS and the future of humanities scholarship (chapter 6: G. Lock, ‘Representations of Space and Place in the Humanities’, pp 89-108)
- Elliott, T, Heath, S, Muccigrosso, J, (2013), Report on the Linked Ancient World Data Institute. Information Standards Quarterly 24
- Vincent, M. L. et al. (eds.) (2018) Heritage and archaeology in the digital age: acquisition, curation, and dissemination of spatial cultural heritage data. Cham, Switzerland: Springer
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6723
- Electronic access to relevant journals e.g.:Forensic Science International, Journal of Archaeological Science
- https://programminghistorian.org/en/
- https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | none |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 14/02/2017 |
| Last revision date | 29/04/2019 |
