Unit information: Archaeological Science in 2014/15

Unit name	Archaeological Science
Unit code	ARCH20038
Credit points	10
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Powlesland
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 students to the key concepts of archaeological dating so that they can understand the scientific principles behind the major dating methods. The Unit will introduce students to environmental archaeology and its application in archaeology.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Students will gain an understanding of the scientific principles behind the major dating methods.
2. Students will gain a working knowledge of a variety of dating techniques and will learn which to apply in a given circumstance.
3. Students will gain an appreciation of the application of environmental archaeological techniques and the value & limitations of the associated evidence.

Teaching Information

Two day lectures.

Assessment Information

One 2750 word essay (100%). Assesses ILOs 1-3

Reading and References

Aitken, M.J. 1990. Science-Based dating in Archaeology. London, Thames & Hudson.

Baillie, M.G.L. 1999. Exodus to Arthur: catastrophic encounters with comets. London, Batsford.

Clark, A.J., Tarling, D.H. & Noel, M. 1988. Developments in Archaeomagnetic dating in Britain. Journal of Archaeological Science 15, pp.654-667.

Gräslund, B. 2008. The Birth of Prehistoric Chronology: Dating Methods and Dating Systems in Nineteenth-Century Scandinavian Archaeology. Cambridge Uni. Press.

Walker, M.J.C. 2007. Quaternary dating methods: an introduction. Chichester: Wiley.