To provide an introductory 'hands on' approach to the basic principles of archaeological practice, considering the nature of the archaeological record & developing fundamental skills in reasoning with archaeological data & in the processes and methodologies of site identification, excavation and interpretation.
Outline Syllabus
Introduction defining archaeology and archaeological data.
Ways of understanding archaeological data and the formation of the archaeological record.
The nature of the archaeological record and the application of site location strategies.
Methods of investigation, defining a research agenda, excavation methodologies (including excavation planning, stratigraphy and recording and post excavation planning).
Examining research questions at intrasite, intersite and regional level.
Artefacts and typology.
Introduction to artefact technology, function and methods of illustration.
Chronology (the application of relative and absolute chronologies to site interpretation).