Introduction to Archaeology for Beginners

Overview

Since the very beginning, humans have shown an interest in uncovering our own past and telling stories about ourselves. This module will introduce the history, methods, and themes which define modern archaeological practice as well as key skills and concepts, taught through case studies drawn from the broad record of archaeological periods in England and Wales. Who were the first archaeologists? This module will introduce archaeological terms concepts and skills in the context of wider intellectual traditions and cultural movements to understand how and why the study of the human past came about. How do archaeologists know what they know? The methods and techniques of archaeological practice will be presented through a series of practical exercises which simulate modern practices at an archaeological site and in post excavation analysis. How are artefacts or sites used to explain past human behaviour? The themes of domestic life in settlements, death and burial, and ritual and religion are presented with case studies which illuminate the worlds of the past.

Programme

Delivered as units and tasks as part of an online, self-paced learning framework.

Unit 1: Introduction to the module. Aims of the module, topics covered, assessments, how to navigate blackboard including a live webinar: Welcome, self-introduction, and answer any questions.

Unit 2: The history of archaeology and present framework. The archaeological periods of British/European archaeology. The history of archaeology from the cabinet of curiosities to the Victorians.

Unit 3: Archaeological skills, Part I: Reconnaissance and Excavation. A) Archaeological reconnaissance: Introduce methods of archaeological reconnaissance. Demonstration on how to find, navigate and use online databases to search for areas of archaeological potential and their geological context (BGS viewer, Cranfield SoilScapes, GridReferenceFinder). B) Archaeological excavation: Principles of archaeological stratigraphy and feature recording.

Unit 4: Archaeological skills, Part 2: Post Excavation Analysis and Interpretation. A)Post-excavation analysis: Types of post excavation analysis. B) Archaeological interpretation: Settlement archaeology and the villa case-study.

Unit 5: Bringing it all together: Review and reflect. Review what was learned. At the end of the module the tutor will hold a live webinar to bring all the strands of the module together and students can submit questions to be answered.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current issues in archaeology.
2. Perform intermediate level online searches of archaeological databases to extract relevant data.
3. Interpret the information in a range of materials and resources.
4. Collate, analyse, and synthesise information from the wide variety of source material explored in the module to create a portfolio of work and provide an 800-word reflective piece discussing the application of those skills. 

Assessments

1. Written Assignment - 30%
2. Portfolio - 70%

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements. 

What Do I Need?

As this is an online course, you would need the following:

• Internet access
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.