MA Landscape Archaeology
MA Landscape Archaeology
The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Bristol, offers a range of taught Masters degrees, which includes the MA in Landscape Archaeology. The MA in Landscape Archaeology may be taken as a full-time study (one year) or a part-time study (two years). Applications from overseas students, mature students, and from those already working in archaeology or a related field, are particularly welcomed. Applications for Autumn 2010 entry are currently invited.
Background
The Landscape Archaeology MA at Bristol combines an applied and professional introduction to the principles and practice of landscape archaeology along with a broad, multi-period grounding in the diverse theoretical approaches to the ‘landscape’ in archaeology.
The programme provides high-quality specialist advanced study, research and practical training that affords either a solid foundation for further research at doctoral level, or a sound familiarity with state-of-the-art equipment together with a comprehensive up-to-date knowledge of the latest fieldwork techniques and methodologies essential for a career in the professional sector.
Through four taught units, theoretical, methodological, and historical approaches to landscapes and landscape archaeology are introduced; the contemporary dimensions of archaeological landscapes and heritage management are considered; and interdisciplinary perspectives upon landscape are discussed.
Intensive specialist training in Earthwork Survey, Aerial Photographic Research, Geophysical Survey and GIS is provided via field-schools and workshops. The course introduces the use of key datasets and source material, such as archaeological archives, documents, maps and field data; and offers instruction on professional report writing. By way of a professional placement, students gain indispensable vocational training; and additionally research and write a dissertation.
Whilst much of the archaeological fieldwork is undertaken in the area surrounding Bristol, the outlook of the programme overall is international, with material drawn from worldwide environments, spanning both the prehistoric and historic periods.
This long-running Landscape Archaeology MA was established in its present form in 1995, and has a proven track record of providing extensive training in archaeological fieldwork, landscape interpretation and curation, as well as providing an exceptional and focused background for further academic research. The strength of the programme's intellectual and practical training is reflected in the very high levels of success of past students, who have obtained permanent posts in the professional archaeological/heritage sector, or who have continued with PhD research in archaeology at Bristol or elsewhere.
Student quotes (this page is in the process of being updated).
Examples of careers that students have entered after completing one of our MA courses (also in the process of being updated).
The Master's degree provides a sound and broad (academic and practical) knowledge of landscape archaeology, which spans both the prehistoric and historic periods, and provides a firm grounding in the most up-to-date fieldwork techniques utilised within the discipline. Whilst much of the fieldwork is undertaken in the area surrounding Bristol, the outlook of the course overall is international, with material drawn from world-wide environments.
Structure
The course is a modular course carrying 180 credits at postgraduate level. 120 of the credits are awarded for the taught part of the course and the remaining 20 for a three-month placement and 40 for a dissertation.
The course is taught at the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, Old Baptist College, 43 Woodland Road, but the programme also includes weekly field visits and/or practicals, that make full use of the Department’s dedicated fleet of Land Rovers (which graduate students may also book out for their own fieldtrips and fieldwork). The weekly field visits take in a wide range of archaeologically important sites in the South West region.
The full-time taught course runs annually from around 1 October until the end of March. Teaching takes place on approx two full days each week(10.00am to 5.00pm approx) and each week there are fieldtrips linked to the lectures.
A three-month professional work placement (chosen by the student) takes place during April, May and June. This can be with a local authority, contract unit, English Heritage, National Trust, National Park, etc. The work placement is assessed by viva voce.
Throughout the year the student completes three written assignments and a Dissertation (10,000 words), together with a seminar presentation during the taught part of the course.
The Dissertation is submitted on the 15 September for full time students.
Part-time
The course can be taken part-time over two years. Students take two units and complete at least one project in the first year. The remaining units, workshops, field-schools and Dissertation are completed in the second year, with the option of splitting the placement over the two years. Part-time students submit the Dissertation on the 15 September of their final year.
Course programme
The programme is designed to provide a sound and broad (academic and practical) knowledge of landscape archaeology - spanning both the prehistoric and historic periods - and provide a firm grounding in the latest fieldwork techniques utilised within the discipline. Consequently, this challenging and varied course attracts students of all ages from all walks of life. There is emphasis on fieldwork and report writing and students are trained to a high professional standard in both these disciplines.
The course begins with a residential Earthwork Survey Field School on Exmoor, where students learn to survey and record earthworks (using an EDM) and learn to recognise phasing within landscapes from different periods.
Workshops and field schools
There are two workshops and two field schools which are a requirement of the course:
- Earthwork Survey Field School
- Aerial Photography Workshop
- Geophysical Survey Field School
- GIS Workshop
Core units
- Methods and Theory in Landscape Archaeology
- Medieval and Post Medieval Landscapes
- Materialities
- Prehistoric Landscapes
- Heritage Management in the Landscape
- Work Placement
Dissertation
The subject for the dissertation is chosen in consultation with the Unit Director. It may be upon any subject connected with archaeology and the landscape. The dissertation should not exceed 10,000 words in length, excluding tables and appendices.
Examples of students' research interests, from a selection of recent dissertation topics, are as follows:
Prehistoric Histories of the Cotswold Landscape; St David's Airfield, Pembrokeshire; New Evidence for Viking Presence in the Eastern Severn Estuary; The Significance of Stone: stone circles, sarsen and symbolism in the Avebury Landscape; Inquiries into a Realistic Value Assessment of World Heritage.
Assessment
Each student will complete three written assignments and one assessed seminar, each based upon the four taught units. Students must attain a satisfactory level on each assignment before commencing work upon the dissertation. Students must achieve a minimum mark of 50% overall on coursework and 50% on the dissertation in order to qualify for the Degree of Master of Arts. Please note that the dissertation must also reach the 50% standard in order to qualify. It is not possible to carry over marks from dissertation to taught courses or vice-versa. Students who do not reach the required standard in the dissertation may nevertheless be able to qualify for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Archaeology if their performance in the taught part of the course is deemed satisfactory by the examiners.
Lecturers and research
One of the chief strengths of Bristol’s Landscape Archaeology MA is that in addition to teaching from within the Department, students are taught by a wide range of experts and specialist landscape archaeologists from other universities, archaeological units and government bodies.
Landscape Archaeology forms a major focus for Departmental research at Bristol. The Department has expertise in:
- Landscape Archaeology of Prehistoric Britain (Dr Josh Pollard; Prof. Richard Harrison; Dr Paula Gardiner)
- Post-Roman and Medieval Landscapes (Dr Stuart Prior)
- Post-Medieval Landscapes (Dr Mark Horton)
- Monastic Landscapes (Prof. Mick Aston; Dr Michael Costen)
The Department also has active field projects in landscape archaeology, including:
- South Cadbury Environs Project (Dr Richard Tabor)
- Berkeley Castle Project (Dr Stuart Prior, Dr Mark Horton)
- Historical Archaeology (Dr Nicholas Saunders)
- Gardens Archaeology (Dr Tim Mowl)
Staff members
Dr Paula Gardiner (Programme Director)
Lecturer in Mesolithic Archaeology. Specialist in the archaeology of Mesolithic Britain.
Dr Joshua Pollard
Senior Lecturer in Archaeology. Specialist in Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain.
Dr Mark Horton FSA
Reader in Archaeology. Specialist in landscape archaeology and fieldwork techniques.
Dr Stuart Prior AIFA
Lecturer in Archaeological Practice. Specialist in landscape archaeology and fieldwork techniques.
Dr Nicholas Saunders
Lecturer in Historical Archaeology. Specialist in conflict archaeology and material culture studies.
Dr Dimitrios Theodossopoulos
Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology. Specialist in environmental anthropology, nationalism, stereotypes and constructions of otherness.
Professor Joao Zilhao
Professor of Palaeolithic Archaeology. Specialist in Palaeolithic archaeology.
Dr Richard Tabor
Research Fellow. Specialist in landscape survey sampling techniques and Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age archaeology in south west Britain.
Professor Tim Mowl (Director of the MA in Garden History)
Reader in Architectural and Garden History. Specialist in English Architectural and Garden History from the seventeenth century to the present day.
Dr Michael Costen
Senior Research Fellow and Historian. Specialist in charters, place-names and Anglo-Saxon landscapes.
Professor Mick Aston
Retired Professor in Landscape Archaeology. Specialist in Post-Roman landscapes, towns and monastic archaeology.
Resources
The University has first-class library resources in archaeology, anthropology and geography, including subscriptions to all major international archaeological journals, a dedicated historic map library and online access to EDINA mapping.
The Department houses extensive laboratory facilities, which were recently upgraded with an investment of over £600,000, that are used by postgraduates for finds processing and other forms of post-excavation or post-survey work, and a dedicated postgraduate computer lab, with machines running specialist Survey Processing, Graphic Design, and GIS Software.
An extensive range of field equipment is maintained for postgraduates in archaeology, including the latest GPS electronic surveying instruments, geophysical instruments, and other survey kit and tools.
The Department has three dedicated Land Rovers, which are predominantly available for postgraduates to drive, that are used for field trips and field survey.
In addition, the Department has a vibrant and international postgraduate research environment, with weekly term-time research seminars on Wednesdays and student-led Archaeology & Anthropology Society meetings on Thursdays - both of which attract high-quality external speakers on a wide-range of topics. There is also a useful and lively Faculty of Arts Postgraduate Centre.
Application information
For further information on life as a postgraduate in Bristol, visit the Graduate School of Arts and Humanities
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