INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY 1

INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY 1
Course Code
AY 1001
Credit Points
20
Course Coordinator
Dr K Milek

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

Covering the first essentials of archaeological enquiry, the course includes three parallel blocks that will address:

The study of the past. Global history of archaeological enquiry in the context of developing ideas of artistic perspective, scientific reasoning and historical analysis. How the past has been conceptualised and how early antiquarian, poetic interest eventually became a discipline for scholarly research.

Material culture. Basic technologies, the principles of artefactual study, chronology, typology and other tools of an archaeological practice that works to understand the world of past people through the objects they have left behind.

Being human. Hominid evolution, the first humans and their ecology, early subsistence and social life, the origins of cognition and the human mind, development of abstract reasoning, symbolism, early evidence for 'art' and 'religion'.

Structure

3 one hour lectures every week and 1 two hour tutorial in weeks 14, 16 and 18-22. In week 15 there is an archaeological excursion on the Friday afternoon and attendance is compulsory.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two hour written examination (67%) plus original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).