ARCH30110 Geoarchaeology

Academic Year 2019/2020

This course is a detailed study of geoarchaeological approaches, issues and methods currently informing archaeological method and theory, with a focus on interpreting landscapes, palaeoenvironments and archaeological sites. The course includes approaches to soil and sediment analyses, with lectures and practical work aimed at developing understanding of studying ancient landscapes, land use and use-of-space, earth materials, and linking culture and nature through geoarchaeological studies. Your project work will focus on basic soil and sediment field and laboratory description and some analyses, including of soil micromorphology thin sections.

This course expands upon the introductory environmental archaeology course (ARCH20070), which is a recommended pre- or co-requisite. Equivalent background will also suffice.

Please note for 2020 that there for two weeks in April there will be no lectures or practicals due to lecturer fieldwork; a revised lecture and practical and independent study hours breakdown has been provided.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Review in detail the range of geoarchaeological evidence available for interpretation of ancient sites and landscapes; 2. Critically discuss various approaches, debates and current issues in geoarchaeology; 3. Discriminate between analytical approaches in geoarchaeology, assess appropriate strategies for a variety of archaeological situations, and assess the type of information generated. The assessments aim to encourage you to develop an understanding of how geoarchaeology integrates with archaeology in general. The assessed project aims for you to carry out individual independent (but guided) research in geoarchaeology.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

11
Laboratories

9
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; practical work in the field (on campus); laboratory sessions; independent study 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: A 1500 word essay on a selection of geoarchaeology topics, to be provided at the beginning of term. Week 6 n/a Graded No

20
Examination: 2 hour final exam, essay style 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

40
Lab Report: A lab report comprising all of the field/lab components and discussion of how they are used in archaeology. The report should include interpretative discussion and be fully cited. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

40

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on assessed work will be on individual work only in this class. You will receive feedback informally also, during lab and field exercises. Individual and class guidance will be given for the major report.

Goldberg, P. & Macphail, R.I. 2005 (or later editions). Practical and Theoretical Geoarcheology.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118688182

French, C.A.I. 2003 (or later editions). Geoarchaeology in Action.
https://www.routledge.com/Geoarchaeology-in-Action-Studies-in-Soil-Micromorphology-and-Landscape/French/p/book/9780415273107

Name Role
Dr Stephen Davis Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Ian Elliott Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Marina Milic Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Barry Molloy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer