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School of Culture History and Language · ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
This course will provide students with a practical introduction to the laboratory methods associated with the analysis of archaeological materials, along with the interpretation and reporting of results. Students will acquire skills in record keeping, the correct procedures around sorting and accessioning artefacts, as well as the very specific analyses associated with materials such as lithics, shell and pottery as well as the sedimentary fabric of the excavation. In addition students will learn how to process historical period artefacts. Similar in concept to “ARCH2061 - Archaeological Field Methods” students in this course will work with archaeological materials that replicate a real world situation, covering both the prehistoric and historic time periods, from the initial arrival of excavated materials in the lab to final report. Embedded throughout the course is the importance of record keeping as well as basic quantitative methods/analysis; the final and most significant piece of assessment will follow the format of a consulting report. The course is group taught drawing on the expertise of ANU staff in archaeological practice.
Laboratory Workbook (4x5%; 500 words each)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5
Online quiz (2x10%)
Learning outcomes 2, 3
Report - Part 1 (word count 600)
Learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5
Report - Part 2 (word count 3,000)
Learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5
Contact hours: 3 hours a week delivered in one block and involving a combination of lectures and practical tasks. Private study: It is expected that students will undertake 7 hours per teaching week toward the completion of assignments, as well as preparation for quizzes and discussion. (Total workload 130 hours over the semester). Work Integrated Learning Projects The assessments for this course, as well as the practical activities run through the semester, will prepare students for future work in archaeological research projects and working in archaeological consultancy companies.
Recommended text: Archaeological Laboratory Methods: an introduction (2014) Mark Sutton and Brooke Arkush. Preliminary Reading Students will be given appropriate reading from current texts and journals as appropriate throughout the semester.