Unit information: Post-Excavation Analysis in 2024/25

Unit name	Post-Excavation Analysis
Unit code	ARCH20059
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Prior
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

This unit examines artefacts, artefact production methods (ancient technology) and artefact analysis.

Students will be introduced to the scientific basis and application of the major dating methods applied in archaeology in order to establish a chronology. Students will be introduced to the basic elements of environmental archaeology that can be found in the field and in excavation contexts.

Students will investigate the various types of material culture found through excavation (lithics, metals, ceramics and organic materials) and have practical `hands-on' sessions to understand their production through `ancient technology' demonstrations'. Student attendance on the practicals and on the excavation is essential.

The unit will introduce students to the basic skills used by archaeologists, museum curators, conservators and other professionals to successfully document, analyse and curate material culture.

Aims:

• to acquaint students with the various types of material culture commonly found in excavations and museum collections;

• to acquaint students with the various types of environmental archaeology they will encounter in the field and through excavation.

• to introduce basic typological sequences, artefact classification and seriation;

• to enable students to correctly identify and adequately describe artefacts;

• to introduce students to the technologies used in the production of different artefacts;

• to provide students with an understanding of some of the principal techniques in the analysis of scientific dating in archaeology;

• to enable students to gain experience in the use of these techniques through practical application of these skills in the context of the study of specific artefacts and the preparation of a poster for presentation.

Your learning on this unit

At the end of this unit, a successful student will be able to:

1) Identify the various types of material culture commonly found in excavations and museum collections;

2) Recognise the various types of environmental archaeology encountered in the field and through excavation;

3) Comprehend typological sequences, artefact classification and seriation;

4) Correctly identify and competently describe artefacts;

5) Discuss critically the technologies used in the production of different artefacts;

6) Identify the principle techniques in the analysis of scientific dating in archaeology;

7) Confidently handle artefacts and ecofacts;

8) Draw and photograph artefacts to publication standard

How you will learn

• Weekly two-hour lectures (x1 two hour block).
• Weekly two-hour practical session (lab).
• Participation in training excavation/lab sessions during term time

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks '(formative): None Tasks which do not count towards your unit mark but are required for credit (zero-weighted): Archaeological Skills Passport [0%, Required for Credit], (ILOs 2, 3, 4, 7, 8) Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative): Notebook [67%], (ILOs 1-7)
Poster and Presentation [33%], (ILOs 3-8) When assessment doesn’t go to plan When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.

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. ARCH20059).

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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.