The course is designed to provide students with a practical introduction to basic archaeological field and laboratory methods. Its focus is on on techniques of excavation, archaeological stratigraphy, the recording of artefacts and the analysis and interpretation of structures, features and excavaeted materials. The course comprises field experience at a mock site on the ANU Campus. 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Possess a strong knowledge relating to the practice of archaeology.

2. Have acquired a solid grounding in relevant archaeological methodologies, and an understanding of how these may be utilised in order to analyse archaeological materials.

3. Have developed the ability to work interactively in a field setting.

Portfolio/Practical book - students will be required to keep personal excavation 'diaries' itemizing the processes of excavation, mapping, curation and these will be assessed. Maximum 2000 words. 30%

Site report - students will be required to submit a finished 'site report' that describes the excavtion process and findings of their research. Maximum 2000 words. 30%

Class tests - two class tests will be given during the course each worth 20% these will allow assessment of skills uptake among the students.

Contact hours: At least 3 hours a week, which may comprise face-to-face teaching and/or other forms of compulsory teaching and learning activities which do not require students and/or teachers to be present in the same physical location e.g. online communication, video conferencing etc. One hour of lecture and one hour of tutorial will be presented each week.

Private study: It is expected that students will undertake 5 hours per week per unit of study toward the completion of assignments, class and exam preparation etc

There is no prerequisite for this course.

ARCH1112

H. Burke & C. Smith 2004  The Archaeologist’s Field Handbook,  Allen & Unwin.

Indicative Texts

Barker, P.  1993  Techniques of Archaeological Excavation.  London: Batsford.

Coles, J.  1977  Field Archaeology in Britain.  London: Methuen.

Connah, G.  (ed.)  1983  Australian Field Archaeology: a guide to techniques.  Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.  (A.I.A.S. Manual No.4).

Fladmark, K.  A Guide to Basic Archaeological Field Procedures.  Burnaby: Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University.

Flood, J. F., I. Johnson and S. Sullivan  (eds)  1989  Sites and Bytes: recording Aboriginal places in Australia.  Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.  (Special Australian Heritage Publications No.8).

Frankel, D.  1991  Remains to be Seen: archaeological insights in to Australian prehistory.  Melbourne: Longman Cheshire.

Gale, F. and J. Jacobs  1987  Tourists and the National Estate: procedures to protect Australia's heritage.  Canberra: Australian Heritage Commission.

Hester, T. R., Shafer, H. J. and Feder, K. L.  1997  Field Methods in Archaeology.  Mountain View, Calif.: Mayfield Publishing.  (Seventh Edition or later).

Hogg, A. H. A.  1986  Surveying for Archaeologists and other Fieldworkers.  London: Croom Helm.

Jonas, W.  1991  Consultation With Aboriginal People About Aboriginal Heritage.  Canberra: Australian Heritage Commission.

Joukowsky, M.  1980  A Complete Manual of Field Archaeology: tools and techniques of field work for archaeologists.  Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall.

Marquis-Kyle, P. and M. Walker  1992  The Illustrated Burra Chapter: making good decisions about the care of important places.  Sydney: Australia ICOMOS Inc.

Wattle