arc2dig digging archaeology
DIGGING ARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHODS AND PRACTICE
ARC2DIG
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This hands-on subject provides an introduction to practical archaeological methods and techniques in both the field and the laboratory. Working through a simulated archaeological research project, including survey, excavation, and laboratory analysis, students will be introduced to the methods and techniques of archaeology.Working in small groups students will excavate and record simulated sites and their artefacts, sharing their findings with other teams in order to interpret how people lived on these sites in the past. By using their practical experience students will examine the methods and theories used to generate archaeological knowledge to critically evaluate the way archaeologists go about setting up research projects and collecting, analysing and interpreting material remains.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorKeir Strickland
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Students must have completed at least 60 credit points (including 15credits of archaeology) or obtain the subject coordinators permission
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Archaeology: Theories, Methods & Practice (7th edition) | Preliminary | Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn | Thames and Hudson,Paperback, 2012 |
| Readings | Archaeological Investigation | Recommended | Martin Carver | Routledge 2009, Taylor and Francis 2013 |
| Readings | The Archaeologists Field Handbook (2nd edition) | Prescribed | Burke, Morrison & Smith | Allen & Unwin |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Develop an appreciation for the range of past societies through the study of their material remains, the range of innovative responses to heritage in the present, and to develop new ideas about solving archaeological problems in the field (as part of a team) and the role of archaeology in managing heritage (individually in their significance assessment)
- Activities:
- Online materials, practical activities and tutorial discussion in teams regarding aspects of cultural variability of the material record across time and space, of situations where heritage values conflict, and of heritage legislation and professional codes of ethics, assessed through online quizzes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Develop independent research skills and experience the dynamics of change by transferring discipline-specific skills to the broader field of heritage management, learning to negotiate the complex and fluid relationships between research, conservation, legislation and stakeholder engagement
- Activities:
- Portfolio assignments and significance assessment
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
03. Demonstrate ability to engage with peers in effective communication, developing and expressing an argument clearly, developing and managing new ideas in teams convincingly, and with the use of appropriate methods and evidence
- Activities:
- Producing short practical reports based in simulated excavations, developing strategies and teamwork that are recorded and reviewed in their site report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
04. Develop an awareness of individual responsibilities as custodians of heritage, and of ways continuing involvement through avocational and professional societies and promote volunteering on projects
- Activities:
- Discussion during practical workshops of archaeology's place in the community, assessed in online quizzes and significance assessment
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
06. Develop individual contributions to the group in formulating a response to various archaeological questions and provide students with the opportunity to generate new ideas and innovative methods through practical activities and analysis of data
- Activities:
- In a team, carry out tutorial activities that focus on building appropriate responses to real and hypothetical archaeological case studies
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
07. Investigate the various material culture correlates that identify various cultural historical groupings providing students with the basic groundwork from which they can develop their ideas and discuss new technological advances in the field
- Activities:
- Use of case studies in practical activities, quizzes, short assignments, and significance assessment
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
08. Demonstrate their development of basic skills in solving complex, real-world archaeological research problems. This will enable students to demonstrate their entrepreneurship in putting together a convincing research proposal to conduct research, contribute to debate and solve archaeological problems.
- Activities:
- Site report and significance assessment
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorKeir Strickland
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
PracticalWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours practical per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Some practicals held outdoors, but on campus"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 900-word written assignment | Significance Assessment of archaeological site OR landscape | 20 | 01, 02, 04, 07, 08 |
| 900-word written assignment | Site report developed by the student to record practical work over a series of tutorials, then written up at the end of the subject. | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 06, 07 |
| Weekly online quizzes after that week's online materials. | Equivalent to 900 words in total. | 20 | 01, 02, 04, 07 |
| Portfolio of FOUR pieces of work from the SIX that they will attempt during practical classes. | Equivalent to 1800 words total, or 450 words per individual piece. Students tackle six methods of recording and presenting archaeological data during the practicals. They can then choose four of these to edit and submit as a portfolio recording their archaeological investigations over the course of the subject. | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 06 |