The History of Archaeology: Discovering the Past

From ancient Greece to 20th-century Australia, there has been a desire to understand our ancestors. This course explores major developments that have shaped archaeology as a discipline around the world. We will travel from the time of 'Antiquarians' in 16th-century England, through discovery of ancient human bones in Africa and ruins of famous sites and vanished civilizations in America, Australia, Pacific islands and Europe. This course will also explore tipping points in archaeological theory and assess how these have influenced current perspectives on the past. Tutorials will focus on the contribution of individuals to the practice and interpretation of archaeology.