AR2F12-Archaeology Fieldschool Single Honours

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Ms Amanda Clarke
Email: a.s.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module offers a practical hands-on introduction to the field techniques and site recording methods used on both urban and rural excavations. Through the excavation and recording of the monuments and sites within a prehistoric, roman, medieval and post-medieval landscape, students will learn about major archaeological monuments within their urban and rural contexts. ÌýStudents will spend 4 weeks on a departmental excavation, and during this time they may be able to participate in many aspects of site work, including excavation, finds and sample processing, geophysics, survey and coring. There will be dedicated training sessions and the opportunity for students to focus on particular fieldwork and transferable skills. ÌýStudents will be assessed by a combination of continuous assessment (including regular formative feedback on practical and transferable skills)Ìýan online short answer quiz on practising archaeology, and an on-site verbal and written test.

Aims:

The training excavation aims to provide the student with an experience of field archaeology in which a basic knowledge of field techniques (both intrusive and non-intrusive) and site recording methods will be acquired. An introduction to finds management and the scientific techniques used on an excavation will be given, as a well as the opportunity to develop their communication skills. Knowledge of the associated material culture, and the biological and environmental evidence will be gained, which will provide an insight into the lives of the people living at the time. Additionally, insight will be gained into the setting up and running of a large archaeological field project, including Health and Safety awareness.

Introductory reading:

Islay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FGgeJolKO4

Ritchie, G. 1997. The Archaeology of Argyll. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. (especially chapters 1, 2, 7, 9, 10)

Caldwell, D. 2008. Islay. The land of the lordship. Edinburgh: Birlinn.

RCAHMS, 1984. Argyll: an inventory of the monuments. Vol.5, Islay, Jura, Colonsay and Oronsay. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland

www.islayheritage.org, explore Projects and Sites and monuments pages

Cookham:

Interim Report – available on the AR2F12 Blackboard site

https://research.reading.ac.uk/middle-thames-archaeology/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBhKqzUW1L4

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the Field School it is expected that the student will be able:

• to identify and excavate archaeological stratigraphy


• to define and survey archaeological features


• to identify and record archaeological deposits and to recognise the characteristics of soil texture, colour etc


• to recover and process environmental samples


• to carry out basic geoarchaeological techniques (coring, auguring etc) to interpret soils and sediments in order to understand past landscapes and environments


• to demonstrate a basic technical proficiency in the acquisition of geophysical data (from a range of different geophysical instrumentation)


• to excavate, process and identify artefacts on site


• to work with and understand the uses of an archaeological database


• to work with and understand the process of photogrammetry and digital recording on excavations


• to understand the contribution material culture and biological and environmental evidence can make to our understanding of prehistoric monuments


• to apply techniques and knowledge gained in the first 2 weeks to project research questions


• to demonstrate an understanding of the international context of the site


• to demonstrate skills useful on research projects all over the world


• to be aware of key Health and Safety procedures for fieldwork;


• to work as part of a team


• to evaluate their own prac