Course Co-ordinator: Dr K Britton

Pre-requisite(s): Available only to students in programme year 3 or above or by permission of Head of School.

Co-requisite(s): None.

This course provides an overview of the key scientific methods that allow field archaeologists to maximize the quantity and quality of the material they can recover from sites, and which enhance the understanding and interpretation of archaeological sites and materials. Using a combination of lectures and practical workshops, the course will cover scientific methods of dating, artefact provenancing and ancient technologies, methods used for the study of diet, health, and movements of humans and animals in the past, and the identification of ancient pollution and other environmental impacts of human activities.

1 two-hour lecture or 1 two-hour practical/demonstration each week.

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%); coursework in the form of a critical review of a group of research papers (30%) and practical reports (20%).

Resit: Marks from continuous assessment to be carried forward (50%); 1 two-hour examination (50%).