Archaeology

This module is designed to introduce you to the archaeology of the British Isles. It will begin with the evidence for the first inhabitants of Britain in the Palaeolithic and works through to the Industrial Revolution. It also encourages you to develop your communication skills, problem solving skills and skills in assessing information.

You will be introduced to the development of archaeology as an interpretive discipline. The module shows key theoretical shifts through time. As well as introduces key figures and sites which have shaped the discipline. You’ll develop verbal and oral communication skills, problem solving skills and skills in accessing information.

Our module will introduce you to archaeology and anthropology of death through a series of case studies exploring different kinds of relevant evidence. You will study both biological and social data to understand the range of past human responses to death.

In this module you will be introduced to the basic principles and methods of social and cultural anthropology. The module will give you an introduction to the history of the discipline, to anthropological methods and the distinctiveness of the anthropological study of modern society.

The module aims to introduce you to the core skills in field archaeology and academic archaeological study. The module will give you the technical skills you need to study and undertake field archaeology and will provide an opportunity for working as part of a group whilst developing your academic skills.

In this module you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to study archaeological research projects in a team. During the project you will be tested under new pressures and challenges of excavation.

In this module you will examine a range of key issues and themes in British archaeological research and occasionally the wider international setting. You will gain an understanding of the chronology of different archaeological time periods, current debates relating to British archaeology and some of the most recent developments in this field.

This module introduces you to the ways in which material from archaeological excavations can be used to investigate past and present societies. You will have the opportunity undertake your own research project.

The module explores archaeological and forensic aspects of human remains recovery. You'll learn about human anatomy and skeletal biology. You'll identify physical characteristics, age, race, and sex of human skeletons. The module also examines injuries, pathology, and causes of death.

In this module you will look at key issues in hunter-gatherer research in relation to both past and present societies and will explore the variety and diversity of its existence in both the past and present at both a practical and theoretical level.

You'll learn about field collection, processing and reporting of geospatial and geophysical data. You will develop field research, computer analysis and data interpretation skills. You will gather data relevant to a range of archaeological, environmental, and investigative case studies. You'll learn geophysical survey techniques and topographic survey.

In this module you will be introduced to the fundamentals of archaeology and anthropology in the study of animals. It will involve a mixture of lectures, lab practicals and discussion seminars.

Our module will provide you with an underpinning knowledge in mortuary archaeology with a particular focus on encounters with death and the dead body. You will partake in a mixture of lectures and seminars, which will explore contemporary themes in archaeology through a range of case studies.

You'll learn about the study of art in the archaeological record. You'll critique the definition of art within prehistoric, non-western, and contemporary societies. You'll explore rock-art, portable art, body art, graffiti, art, and technology. You'll use Virtual Reality to explore art in an immersive environment.

You'll explore modern commercial archaeology, including practices, techniques, and philosophies. You'll enhance your fieldwork skills, delve into project management, and learn about post-excavation. Learning alongside professionals, you'll encounter real work scenarios when possible.

The aim of this module is to develop an independent piece of primary research of relevance to your course. You'll present your ideas, work, and conclusions in a range of appropriate ways that are transferable to the workplace.

This module builds on your prior knowledge of archaeological fieldwork. You will develop skills needed to contribute to commercial or research excavations without direct supervision. You will have a four-week placement on an archaeological research project and will develop transferable team-working and time and work management skills.

In this module you will examine the issues in British archaeology. You will develop an understanding in British archaeology and be aware of some of the most recent ideas and developments in the field.

In this module you will examine a range of key issues in hunter-gatherer research in relation to both past and present societies. You will explore the variety and diversity of hunter-gatherer existence and look for useful comparisons between past and present societies at a practical and theoretical level, which will be addressed through a variety of case studies.

You'll study working practices, techniques, and philosophies underpinning modern commercial archaeological practice. Module teaching collaborates with professional archaeologists to build fieldwork skills. The aim is to create competent professional archaeologists.

This module will develop your skills in field research, computer analysis and data interpretation. This module will prepare you for future research projects. You will learn to collect field data in an archaeological environmental and investigative case studies. You will also learn to use Geographical Information Systems software.

This module will provide you with the principles of archaeological and anthropological study of animals, focusing on animal remains and human interaction with animals. You'll gain practical skills in the laboratory where you'll physically identify and analyse animal remains. The key themes and analysis of zooarchaeology will also be introduced, including domestication and animals as a means of symbolic expression.

You'll gain a grounding in mortuary archaeology, biological anthropology, and osteoarchaeology. You'll explore displaying the dead, cemetery organisation, and social patterns. You'll learn about practical circumstances in the workplace and explore ethics and issues. The module analyses death in society both ancient and modern.

You'll learn about the study of art in the archaeological record. You will be exposed to critical views on the definition of art and its applicability within prehistoric, non-western, and contemporary societies. You'll explore rock-art, portable art, body art, graffiti, art, and technology and develop an appreciation of wider themes. Virtual Reality will help you to investigate art in an immersive environment.

During this module you'll build on your knowledge of human skeletal anatomy, introducing key forensic aspects of the mechanical properties of bone and post-mortem bone modification. The module will aim to address issues of scientific taphonomic investigation outside the areas of post-mortem interval estimation and decomposition studies. Laboratory and field based exercises will allow you to put these theoretical concepts into practice with the emphasis on problem solving, applied practical skills and evaluative writing.

On this module you'll spend 14 weeks researching and conducting a project on a topic of your choosing. You may undertake this project at the University, but the opportunity will exist to undertake it at several other institutions.

This module allows you to explore issues in archaeology and aspects of archaeological investigation within a structured environment. You will discuss topics relevant to the archaeology of ancient landscapes, material culture, and archaeological theory. You will explore practical topics, including phenomenology, chronology, and material culture.

You'll study research methodology relevant to archaeologists in academic and commercial environments. The module introduces basic aspects of conducting research. You'll be able to communicate archaeological ideas via a variety of media as well as manage and plan projects. You'll also gain practical research experience and gain insight into legal and ethical issues.

Our module builds on the knowledge of archaeological fieldwork gained in your previous years of academic study. You will develop the skills needed to contribute to commercial or research excavations as well as learning supervision skills through a 4-week placement.