Artefacts in Archaeology

University of Reading

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Artefacts in Archaeology

  • Host University

    University of Reading

  • Location

    Reading, England

  • Area of Study

    Archaeology

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Upper

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • ECTS Credits

    5
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4

  • Overview

    Module Provider: Archaeology
    Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
    Level:5
    Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
    Pre-requisites:
    Non-modular pre-requisites:
    Co-requisites:
    Modules excluded:
    Module version for: 2016/7
    Module Convenor: Prof Grenville Astill
    Email: g.g.astill@reading.ac.uk
    Summary module description:
    Aims:
    The module aims to provide students with a variety of archaeological skills which involve the presentation and analysis of data resulting from archaeological excavation, concentrating on the study of artefacts. Overall it is designed to help to prepare students for the analysis of data in their dissertations.
    Assessable learning outcomes:
    By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able:
    to identify and make informed observations about a variety of artefactual data
    to prepare basic archaeological drawings of artefacts
    to produce brief reports on assemblage compositions and their archaeological implications
    Additional outcomes:
    The module will also give students broad experience in problem-solving through exercises in drawing, analysing and interpreting artefactual material. Team-working skills will be developed through practical classes, and experience will be obtained in writing laboratory reports. Numeracy will be enhanced through data gathering, measurement, and statistical analysis in the artefactual practicals, and through exercises in measurement, scale, and geometry provided by the illustration classes. Skills in visual analysis will also be developed.
    Outline content:
    The module exposes students to a wide variety of material relating to the processing of archaeological material. Students choose two out of a number of artefact practical options with a gap after each block for completing their assessments. Artefacts may include ceramics, lithics, and small finds and metallurgy although the options in any year will depend on staff availability and may change from year to year. Students can also choose a practical option on archaeological illustration, covering tools and techniques, and the drawing of artefacts.
    Both elements will involve the practice of core techniques of observation, description, recording, measurement, analysis and interpretation of primary archaeological data.
    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    A mixture of lectures and practical sessions - students select two options from a range that normally includes: Lithics, Neolithic and Bronze Age axes, pottery, archaeological drawing and small finds. All sessions are very practical and require students to analyse and present primary data.
    This is a 10 credit module, which means that it is intended to occupy you for 100 hours of work: practical classes, background reading, and preparing and writing your option reports. With that in mind the kind of workload you should expect might be as follows:
    - 25 hours: Formal teaching sessions (practicals)
    - 25 hours: Background reading
    - 50 hours: Reading for, preparing, and writing/illustrating your reports
    Contat Hours
    Autumn
    Lectures 4
    Practicals classes and workshops 24
    External Visits 2
    Guided independent study 70
    Total hours by term 100.00
    Total hours for module 100.00
    Summative Assessment Methods:
    Method- Percentage
    Report 100
    Requirements for a pass:
    A mark of 40% overall

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Some courses may require additional fees.

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.

Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.

Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.

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