Archaeology BA (Hons)

In Global Perspectives you will explore key issues in the study of the human past, and the different ways archaeologists have approached them. You will learn about the different theoretical frameworks that we use to interpret archaeological material, and how these have developed over time. You will also learn how archaeology addresses some of the important issues that we face in the world today.

On completion of this module, you will have developed a sound understanding of the principal themes in global archaeology, how we study them, and their relevance to today’s world. You will also have learnt how to evaluate different sources of evidence, assess the validity of different perspectives and debates surrounding contested issues, and construct your own arguments based on a critical reading of the available evidence. In addition, you will develop your oral and written communication skills.

In this module you will explore the material remains of the social, cultural, economic, and technological aspects of life in Britain since the last Ice Age. You will learn about the different archaeological periods, the characteristic features that define them, and key sites and finds. The module will also situate Britain within its wider European context, broadening your knowledge of the human past to the neighbouring regions of the continent, and allowing you to study the complex relationships between them.

On completion of the module you will have developed a sound understanding of the chronology of the human past within a British and European context, and the different archaeological periods that it is divided into. You will understand how the nature of human society has changed over time, and how this is reflected in the archaeological record. You will also have enhanced the skills you began to develop in term 1, including your ability to evaluate different types of information, assess the validity of competing arguments, and to think and write in an informed and critical manner.

This module will provide you with practical experience of archaeological fieldwork and post-excavation analysis. Working in the field, you will learn the methods that we use in field archaeology, how to carry out different forms of archaeological survey, and the techniques we use to analyse the data we collect. You will also be introduced to laboratory methods that are used when analysing archaeological material, and how to quantify and interpret archaeological data. The module will also introduce you to the potential career paths open to you in archaeology, and how the skills you are developing are also relevant to careers in other disciplines.

On completion of the module you will have learnt the fundamental principles of archaeological fieldwork, know how to work safely in both the field and the laboratory, and gained practical experience in the use of industry standard equipment. You will also have learnt how to quantify and analyse data, and present the results using computer applications, and you will have gained experience of working as part of team and developed skills in leadership and communication. You will also have learnt what careers are available to graduates with an archaeology degree, and the relevance of the skills you have learnt throughout your first year at university.

This module explores the archaeological heritage all around us. You will learn to identify the remains of the past which survive today and the major sources, theories and practices that preserve it, including their benefits, conflicts and tensions. You will examine the debates surrounding the definition of heritage and its development as a concept, analyse the impact of heritage on archaeology, and understand the tools we use to preserve and display the remains of the past. Issues such as political agendas, the impacts of legislation, conservation, interpretation and digitalisation are analysed through practical applications and real-world case studies.

On completion of the module you will have developed a solid foundation in the theory and practice of archaeological heritage, understand the key debates and issues relating to this subject, and be aware of the career paths that are available within this area. You will also have built upon and further developed the skills in critical thinking and writing you have learnt in the previous two terms.

You now have the opportunity to pick an optional module to learn a new language or build on your existing language skills as part of your degree. You can choose:

• Subsidiary Language for Beginners (choice of German, Italian or Spanish)
• French: Intermediate Language Development
• Spanish: Intermediate Language Development
• Chinese: Intermediate Language Development
• German: Communication in Practice
• French: Communication in Practice
• Spanish: Communication in Practice

If you are on an Major Weighting in Archaeology

What do archaeologists do with the data that they collect during excavation and survey? How do they analyse and interpret these different types of information to gain a better understanding of the human past? This module takes an applied approach to these issues, providing you with practical training in different forms of data collection and analysis (such as experimental archaeology, environmental archaeology, and the spatial analysis of data using Geographic Information Systems). You will also gain practical experience of how archaeologists present the results of their work to a wider audience.

On completion of the module you will have learnt how to collect, manage, analyse and interpret different forms of quantitative and qualitative data through a variety of different methods. You will have enhanced your digital literacy, including developing more advanced skills in computer applications such as MS Excel, and the use of Geographic Information Systems, and developed your oral and written communication skills. You will also have gained experience of undertaking archaeological work in a safe and professional manner in a range of real-world situations.

If you are on an Equal Weighting or a Minor Weighting in Archaeology

Understanding the human past means studying the complex relationships that formed between humans and the different elements of the world around them, from plants and animals to geological formations and weather systems. In this module you will explore the different ways we think about these relationships, from perspectives that see humans as directly transforming the world around them, to more recent approaches that consider the ways non-humans have shaped human lives. The module will focus on European prehistory, and you will be able to choose the particular period that you wish to focus on.

On completion of the module you will have developed a detailed understanding of the different theoretical perspectives that archaeologists take when studying the relationships between humans and the non-human world. You will have learnt how to deal with philosophical concepts and debates, how to evaluate different sources of evidence, and how to think in a critical and informed manner. You will also have developed your written and verbal communication skills, learning how to effectively communicate complex ideas in a clear and balanced manner.

If you are on an Equal Weighting or a Minor Weighting in Archaeology

Archaeology sheds direct light on both life and death in past societies, and the remains of mortuary activity, such as graves, cemeteries and tombs (among other evidence) provide rich avenues of enquiry. This module comprises a thematic exploration of the archaeology of death, burial and commemoration, focused on the key debates and approaches to mortuary archaeology for early medieval Britain. For this period, mortuary data has been pivotal to understanding the changing and varied character of societies between the fifth and eleventh centuries CE and provides a critical focus to your studies. In doing so, you will also learn about a range of theoretical and methodological themes drawing on a range of regions and periods throughout the globe, from prehistory and the ancient world through to the later medieval and modern eras.

On completion of the module you will have developed a sound understanding of the different theoretical approaches we take to the study of mortuary archaeology, and how they inform our understanding of the past. You will have learnt how to critically evaluate different forms of evidence and assess competing arguments, and how to make reasoned, informed statements on the basis of the knowledge you have developed. You will also have continued to develop your written and oral communication skills.

In this module you will continue to develop your technical skills, and gain experience of working as a professional archaeologist, as you participate in an archaeological fieldwork project. Working under the guidance of professional archaeologists, you will learn to identify evidence in the field, record it effectively and present it to a non-specialist audience in a clear and effective manner. You will also undertake practical training in key skills such as excavation techniques, sediment recording, artefact identification and handling, as well as survey, drawing and photography.

By the end of the module you will have gained direct experience of the primary archaeological record, how it is discovered and recorded, the relationship between theory and practice in the archaeological process, and the logistics of delivering a practical project and associated ethical, and health and safety, considerations. At the same time, you will gain a range of transferable skills from your participation, developing personal skills in areas such as problem-solving, decision-making, team-work and personal responsibility. By taking part in a research excavation, you will also have made new discoveries and contributed to our understanding of the past.

The Level 5, 40-credit modules require a basic foundation of knowledge of your chosen language e.g. GCSE or equivalent,  a Level 4 module in the same language or equivalent previous learning. This module includes an optional placement abroad, such as an intensive course at a partner university. You can choose:

• Advanced Language Development and Global Sustainability (choice of German, French or Spanish)
• Upper Intermediate Language Development and Global Employability (choice of Chinese, French or Spanish)
• Post Beginner Language Development and Global Cultures (choice of German, Italian or Spanish)

In Archaeological Heritage and Public Archaeology you will learn how we present the results of archaeological research to a wider audience, and manage and protect the remains of the past for future generations. As well as these broad themes, the module will also address more specific issues, such as the social benefit of archaeology and heritage, how we can involve wider audiences in archaeological work, and how we ensure a positive relationship between archaeology, archaeologists and the public. You will also learn more about the career paths available to you, both within archaeology and heritage, and outside of the discipline.

On completion of the module you will have developed a detailed understanding of the current theoretical and practical issues in archaeological heritage and public archaeology. You will have continued to develop and enhance your ability to deal with complex issues and concepts, critically discuss different and competing ideas, and to communicate effectively. You will also have a clear understanding of the potential careers that are available to you, and how to effectively communicate the skills you have developed through covering letters, CVs and job applications.

If you are on an Equal Weighting and Minor Weighting in Archaeology

This module is an opportunity for you to undertake advanced study in the archaeology of a period of the British and north European past of your choice. Indicative foci might include the Mesolithic and Neolithic transition in North-West Europe, Roman Britain, early medieval Britain, and the Viking world. The module will provide you with a detailed background to the archaeology of each period, and the key themes and debates that relate to it. There will be opportunities to explore specific aspects of the period in considerable depth, and to critically assess the archaeological evidence from key sites and finds.

On completion of this module you will have a detailed understanding of your chosen archaeological period, which will have built upon the knowledge you have gained through your previous years of study. You will also have enhanced your ability to critically evaluate different sources of evidence, assess different arguments, and make informed opinions of your own, while further developing your written and verbal communication skills.

If you are on an Equal Weighting and Major Weighting in Archaeology

This is an opportunity for you to design and execute your own research project on a topic of your choice. Working under the guidance of a member of the archaeology team, and drawing on the skills and knowledge you have already developed, you will identify an original research question, undertake background research that will place this in its academic context, design a suitable methodology, and then carry out the necessary research.

On completion of the module you will have enhanced your knowledge of your chosen topic, and its wider archaeological context. You will have learnt how to plan and execute a piece of independent research, manage your own time, and work independently, while also continuing to enhance your ability to effectively communicate complex ideas through writing.

If you are on a Major Weighting in Archaeology

This module provides you with a practical introduction to the scientific study of past human lives and the relationship between humans and the environment they inhabit. You will work under the guidance of members of staff as you learn the techniques used to study both human and environmental remains, and then apply these to archaeological materials. You will also explore the relevance of this work to our understanding of the human past.

On completion of this module you will have developed practical skills in both human osteology and environmental archaeology. You will also have enhanced your ability to analyse and interpret quantitative data, to present the results of your work in a professional manner, and to work safely and effectively in a laboratory environment.

If you are on an Equal Weighting and Major Weighting in Archaeology

Archaeology is often characterised as a subject that is concerned with the distant past, but it also provides critical insights into our own time, where we are witnessing the global transformation of our planet by our species: ‘the Anthropocene’. In this module you will explore the archaeology of the contemporary past and the relationship between archaeology and the contemporary world, exploring the role of archaeology as ‘material witness’ on 20th- and 21st-century material cultures, monuments, built environments and landscapes. You will learn about the role our discipline can play in addressing some of the major issues that face society today, and the responsibilities that this places upon us as archaeologists. You will also learn how research contributes to an ‘archaeology of us and now’, and how people draw on ideas of the human past to influence the way we understand the present, the roles that archaeology plays in contemporary issues of power and social justice, and the place of archaeology in debates around climate and environmental activism and protest.

On completion of this module you will have a clear understanding of the application of archaeological theory, methods and techniques to the investigation of the contemporary, the place of archaeology within contemporary society, and of the responsibilities that this places on us as archaeologists. You will have continued to develop the ability to deal with complex ideas, critically evaluate different and competing arguments, and to communicate in a clear and effective manner.