Undergraduate - UnitATS3544 - Archaeological field and laboratory methods

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	School of Geography and Environmental Science
Offered	Clayton Summer semester B 2014 (On-campus block of classes)
Coordinator(s)	Professor Ian McNiven

Notes

Previously coded GES3080

Quota applies

This unit has a strict quota of 10 students for safety reasons associated with supervising students whilst undertaking fieldwork. Selection of students will be based on academic merit, with preference given to students who have already completed units in archaelogy and Indigenous studies at Monash.Students should lodge an enrolment amendment form at the Faculty of Arts Student Service counter on the Clayton campus by 5pm 1 December. Enrolment decisions will be notified and processed on 10 December.

Synopsis

The subject provides students with a through grounding in archaeological field and laboratory techniques. Field techniques include critical analysis of different approaches by archaeologists to find, record and excavate sites. Practical experience and tuition in each of these three areas will be gained through 15 days of fieldwork in Victoria. To understand how archaeologists interpret excavated materials, students will gain practical experience in the identification and analysis of bone, shell and stone artefacts through laboratory classes. On completion of the subject students will have firsthand appreciation of what it takes to excavate and analyse archaeological sites.

Outcomes

The overarching aims are to provide students with a through grounding in archaeological field and laboratory techniques. On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

Appreciate the broad range of conceptual and practical skills required to find, record and excavate archaeological sites;
Develop skills in the proper identification and appropriate analysis of a range of classes of archaeological materials;
Develop skills to critically evaluate site survey and excavation reports.

Assessment

Lab exam (1hr): 30%
Fieldwork reflective diary (3000 words): 30%
Essay (4000 words): 40%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Ian McNiven

Workload requirements

Wk1: 4hrs lectures and practicals/day (Total 20 contact hrs)
Wk2: 4hrs lectures and practicals/day (Total 20 contact hrs)
Wk3: 7hrs fieldwork/day (Total 35 contact hrs)
Wk4: 7hrs fieldwork/day (Total 35 contact hrs)
Wk5: 7hrs fieldwork/day (Total 35 contact hrs)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Ancient cultures
Anthropology
Indigenous cultures and histories

Prerequisites

A gateway unit in Ancient Cultures, Geography, climate and physical environments,Indigenous Cultures and Histories or permission of the course coordinator.

Prohibitions

AIA2200, AIA3300, ATS2544