ARCH1061: ARCHAEOLOGY PRACTICALS*

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• * All modules marked with this symbol form part of an Accredited CIfA pathway
• To provide a basic introduction to field and laboratory techniques for the recording and analysis of primary materials, sites and monuments, using group work wherever possible.

• Basic introduction to and hands-on experience of a range of materials used in past societies (pottery and two others), together with lab tests.
• Field visits and excursions to sites and monuments in urban and rural contexts, to learn about recording of buildings, sites and monuments and about landscape appreciation.
• Training in basic techniques of looking at, understanding and interpreting archaeological sites and materials.
• An introduction to careers and employability, and development of commercial and industrial awareness.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• By the end of the course, students will have improved their ability to function productively in a team and will have gained a basic understanding of: The properties of, and technologies associated with, pottery and a selection of two other materials.
• Some of the techniques of looking at, understanding, recording and interpreting archaeological sites and materials in an urban context and in a landscape context.
• An awareness of archaeological ethics, and health and safety and technical standards.
• Some of the ideas and concepts underlying the techniques to be used during their summer training excavation.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Direct experience of practical archaeological work, both field related and in the study of artefacts and other materials.

Key Skills:

• Gain direct experience and competence in a range of transferable skills.
• Apply technical and health and safety standards and archaeological ethics.
• Group work.
• Ascertain the procedures required to access information and ensure these are complied with.
• Analyse and assess the accuracy and completeness of data.
• Manage objectives and time.
• Operate safely and securely in the workplace.
• Researching and staying informed about key employers and jobs available in the student's field(s) of interest.
• Ability to make connections between subject-specific and transferable skills learned through coursework and the essential criteria requested in relevant job advertisements.

• The module is taught through a combination of lectures, practicals and fieldtrips/field visits.
• It is assessed through a series of assignments, which assess the students experience of a range of practical archaeological work.
• Lectures will ensure the effective communication of key information and theoretical ideas, supported by reading lists and written summaries of follow-up notes posted in the online teaching environment, enabling students to gain up-to-date knowledge, as well as guidance on further reading.
• Practical classes involve demonstrations and hands-on exercises using archaeological materials, undertaken in small to medium sized groups, or, where this is not possible, suitable virtual substitutes presented online.
• Fieldtrips involving visiting, experiencing and discussing archaeological sites and monuments in the landscape and archaeological collections in museums or, where this is not possible, suitable virtual substitutes presented online.
• Self-guided learning comprises personal study, research, revision and evaluation associated with classes and assignments; guided by lecturers, tutors and reading lists of specialist books, articles and web-sites.
• Research is embedded into the teaching of this module through the experience that students gain of the processes of research using each of the practical techniques that are taught and through the examples and topics chosen within the lecture component which derive from the specialist research interests of the staff.
• Lectures and seminars may consist of pre-recorded videos and/or live presentations from tutors, and integrate break-out discussions, study exercises and other learning activities as appropriate to the material covered from week to week.

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