Archaelogy of Things

Archaeology is the discipline of things. This module explores how archaeologists think about material culture and things, and how they reconstruct how people made, used and discarded objects in the past, both in Ireland and beyond. It provides students, through lectures, laboratory workshops and a museum fieldtrip. with an understanding of the how archaeologists work with things. Lectures are complemented by practical handling sessions and the inspection of objects in museums. We will explore such topics as object classification, typologies, description and recording, archaeological material scientific studies, digital and 3D analyses and experimental archaeology. We will explore general principles of artefact studies, before reviewing the key artefact assemblages from prehistoric, medieval and medieval Ireland and also beyond. Students will complete a practical archaeological exercise which combines museum, laboratory and desk-based research.