| CODE | ARC1010 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Integrating Science and Archaeology | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Classics and Archaeology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The application of science-based techniques on archaeological sites and objects has become an essential component when interpreting archaeological data. Archaeologists, however, are not always well-versed in undertaking the scientific analyses themselves, but it is up to them to be equipped with the basic knowledge to know which techniques are necessary and what they expect to gain out of them. This study-unit is designed to showcase a series of up-to-date archaeological case-studies, which heavily depend on particular scientific applications. During each lecture, students will explore and discuss how science enhances various sets of archaeological evidence, understanding the limitations of applying such techniques to various types of archaeological materials, and most importantly, how the results are interpreted by archaeologists. The unit is designed to follow a ‘reverse classroom model’ where course material is delivered through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and is used by students to formulate and direct more in-depth and meaningful discussions in the classroom. A series of hands-on practical sessions, where students can participate in applying scientific techniques to archaeological data will also from part of the course. Study-unit Aims: 1. To introduce students to the application of the main scientific techniques used in archaeology through the use of archaeological case-studies; 2. To highlight practical uses for various scientific applications; 3. To demonstrate how scientific analyses are interpreted in archaeological research. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Explain the use of key scientific applications from different areas as applied in archaeology; 2. Describe which types of archaeological evidence and data are required for specific scientific techniques; 3. Demonstrate a broad understanding of how archaeological interpretations are derived from the application of scientific techniques. 4. List the advantages and disadvantages of various types of scientific techniques in their application to archaeological material. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Demonstrate the ability to interpret and apply scientific terminology commonly found in archaeological literature; 2. Demonstrate the ability to apply the scientific process to practical analyses of archaeological material or data; 3. Describe the planning of scientific techniques applied to archaeological contexts; 4. Report outcomes of scientific analysis carried out on archaeological material or data; 5. Explain the implications and appreciate limitations of conclusions drawn from scientific analyses on archaeological evidence. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Text/s Malainey, M. E. 2011. "A Consumer's Guide to Archaeological Science: Analytical Techniques". New York: Springer Renfrew, C., Bahn, P. "Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice." 7th edn. London: Thames and Hudson Supplementary Reasding/s Hunt, A. M. W. 2017 (ed.) "The Oxford Handbook of Archaeological Ceramic Analysis." Oxford: Oxford University Press Updated reading lists will be made available before each lecture and will include open - and library - access articles relevant to the case-studies discussed in class. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practicum | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Timothy Gambin Cynthianne Spiteri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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