Archaeology

An exploration of the archaeological evidence for ancient societies and civilisations from earliest prehistory through to the contemporary period.                                                                 

You will explore the distinctive character of archaeology as an academic discipline, both in terms of theory and practice. You will examine the development of the subject and its relationship with other cognate disciplines, relative and absolute chronology, different specialisms within archaeology, the relationship between data recovery techniques and the deduction of interpretations, and the importance of material culture.                                                                

This module introduces you to the appropriate use of archaeological fieldwork techniques and provides an opportunity for introductory training on key equipment. It will also provide an introduction to methods, the theoretical underpinning and application of the biological, Earth and physical sciences in archaeology.                                                                

This module instills the key academic skills required for undergraduate study and research. You are introduced to your own personal development planning and continuing professional development and to key sources of archaeological and historical information.                                                                

The module comprises four weeks of fascinating archaeological fieldwork, to be undertaken on one of the field projects run by the department, where you will be involved in excavation and other field-based tasks. You will learn a variety of essential archaeological field skills, depending on the nature of the project you work on. This will be followed by a 12-week post-excavation course that explores methods of archive collation and analysis.                                                                

A consideration of the application of research methods and theoretical approaches to the study of the past.    

On this module you will gain a critical understanding of climate change processes and their products over timescales of millions to hundreds of years. You will critically evaluate proxy datasets that provide indicators of past environments by applying science techniques in a field and laboratory setting.                                                                

Option A: GIS & Geomatics 

This module examines the range of measured survey and remote sensing techniques available for landscape investigation. Each technique is explained and its potential for use in conjunction with other techniques evaluated before practical training is provided. This is combined with an exploration of the use of geographical information systems (GIS) that covers both the theory and practice of their use in archaeology.                                                                

Option B: Death, Burials and Bioarchaeology

This module examines a range of approaches, methods and themes within archaeology and anthropology relating to the study of death, burial and funerary customs in the past. The module will also have a practical component which will introduce students to working with human remains from archaeological sites to gain an understanding of how bioarchaeologists determine age-at-death, biological sex, and evidence for pathology from skeletal remains.                                                                

The module comprises four weeks of fascinating archaeological fieldwork, to be undertaken on one of the field projects run by the department, where you will be involved in excavation and other field-based tasks. You will learn a variety of essential archaeological field skills, depending on the nature of the project you work on. This will be followed by a 12-week post-excavation course that explores methods of archive collation and analysis.                                                                

A consideration of the application of research methods and theoretical approaches to the study of the past.    

On this module you will gain a critical understanding of climate change processes and their products over timescales of millions to hundreds of years. You will critically evaluate proxy datasets that provide indicators of past environments by applying science techniques in a field and laboratory setting.                                                                

Option A: GIS & Geomatics 

This module examines the range of measured survey and remote sensing techniques available for landscape investigation. Each technique is explained and its potential for use in conjunction with other techniques evaluated before practical training is provided. This is combined with an exploration of the use of geographical information systems (GIS) that covers both the theory and practice of their use in archaeology.                                                                

Option B: Death, Burials and Bioarchaeology

This module examines a range of approaches, methods and themes within archaeology and anthropology relating to the study of death, burial and funerary customs in the past. The module will also have a practical component which will introduce students to working with human remains from archaeological sites to gain an understanding of how bioarchaeologists determine age-at-death, biological sex, and evidence for pathology from skeletal remains.                                                                

You will plan, research and write up your 10,000-word dissertation on a topic or theme to be agreed with your research supervisor.

This module considers the role of archaeology and heritage in the public conversation and presents a series of debates setting different approaches to specific archaeological problems in context.                                                                 

Archaeological Project Management and Fieldwork

This module explores current approaches to project management used in modern commercial, developer-led archaeology. You consider the complete project management cycle from production of research designs, budgeting of projects, production of desk-based assessments, management of fieldwork projects and production of reports. Themes are developed in conjunction with further on-site fieldwork experience that explores the implementation and delivery of archaeological projects.              

Themes in European Prehistory

This module discusses a series of major areas for debate in European prehistory, from the Palaeolithic to the Iron Age, such as the emergence of modern humans, the impact of climate change, the development of social elites, the appearance of states and civlisations, and periods of greater and lesser cultural similarity across the continent.                            

Rites Religions and Ritual

This module examines the ranges of approaches, methods and themes relating to the study of religion, ritual and belief in past societies.

The Archaeology of Conflict

The module examines the origins and development of human conflict. Based on the archaeological evidence, alternative approaches to conflict such as evolutionary psychology and military history will also be discussed. The legacy of conflict will be explored through an examination of physical and cultural heritage, memorialisation and current approaches to dark heritage.                                                                
                                                                
                                  

You will plan, research and write up your 10,000-word dissertation on a topic or theme to be agreed with your research supervisor.

This module considers the role of archaeology and heritage in the public conversation and presents a series of debates setting different approaches to specific archaeological problems in context.                                                                 

Archaeological Project Management and Fieldwork

This module explores current approaches to project management used in modern commercial, developer-led archaeology. You consider the complete project management cycle from production of research designs, budgeting of projects, production of desk-based assessments, management of fieldwork projects and production of reports. Themes are developed in conjunction with further on-site fieldwork experience that explores the implementation and delivery of archaeological projects.              

Themes in European Prehistory

This module discusses a series of major areas for debate in European prehistory, from the Palaeolithic to the Iron Age, such as the emergence of modern humans, the impact of climate change, the development of social elites, the appearance of states and civlisations, and periods of greater and lesser cultural similarity across the continent.                            

Rites Religions and Ritual

This module examines the ranges of approaches, methods and themes relating to the study of religion, ritual and belief in past societies.

The Archaeology of Conflict

The module examines the origins and development of human conflict. Based on the archaeological evidence, alternative approaches to conflict such as evolutionary psychology and military history will also be discussed. The legacy of conflict will be explored through an examination of physical and cultural heritage, memorialisation and current approaches to dark heritage.