Unit information: Archaeological Practice in 2021/22

Unit name	Archaeological Practice
Unit code	ARCH10016
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Prior
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will introduce the methods and techniques that archaeologists commonly use to identify and record archaeological sites, features, structures and monuments.

The unit will provide a broad understanding of the range and nature of archaeological sites and monuments in the UK, and the ways in which archaeologists find, investigate, excavate and record them.

The main techniques of archaeological investigation and recording will be introduced including the use of maps, documents, digital resources and aerial photographs, earthwork survey, geophysical survey, excavation, levelling and standing building recording.

Aims:

- To introduce the range and nature of archaeological sites and monuments present in the UK. - To introduce the range of features that archaeologists frequently work on, such as buried remains, monuments, earthworks, standing buildings and landscapes. - To provide the basic field skills employed by archaeologists to investigate, excavate and record archaeological features, sites, monuments and landscapes.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Completion of this unit will enable students to successfully:

1. Identify the range and nature of archaeological sites and monuments present in the UK.
2. Identify the range of features that archaeologists frequently work on, such as buried remains, monuments, earthworks, standing buildings and landscapes.
3. Describe and employ the basic field skills currently used by archaeologists to investigate and record archaeological features, sites, monuments and landscapes.
4. Identify and explain the range and nature of British archaeological sites and monuments.
5. Practice key archaeological field techniques, and explain the results of fieldwork clearly.
6. Synthesise and assess various sources of evidence that relate to archaeological remains and/or monuments, including previous archaeological work, aerial photographs, documentary sources and historic maps.
7. Identify the appropriate technique to be used in the field.
8. Complete context sheets, section and planning drawing and basic matrices.
9. Describe and explain the chronological relationships between various archaeological deposits.
10. Keep a complete, organised and well-presented notebook.

Teaching Information

Weekly two-hour lecture (x1 two hour block).

Weekly two-hour practical session (lab & field).

Participation in training excavation/lab sessions during term time

Assessment Information

Summative Assessment:

1) Notebook (50%) (Assesses ILOs: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j)

2) Essay of 2000 words (50%) (Assesses ILOs: a, b, c, d, f, g)

Formative Assessment:

1) A series of practical tasks during the excavation/fieldwork for credit

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ARCH10016).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.