Overview
In modern archaeological practice there is a growing dependence on techniques and approaches borrowed from across the natural sciences, technology and engineering (broadly STEM) to better understand and interpret the archaeological record. These vary broadly from emerging disciplines such as palaeogenomics, microarchaeology, palaeoproteomics and VR/robotics/drones, to more traditional techniques that … For more content click the Read More button below.
Topic availabilities
To view topic availabilities, select an availability from the drop down, towards the top right of the screen.
Tuition pattern
To view tuition patterns, select an availability from the drop down, towards the top right of the screen.
Aims
This topic aims to introduce students to the wide range of analytical techniques available to archaeologists to interpretation archaeological sites and analyse artefacts, fossils and other archaeologically significant materials. Students will be exposed to scientific techniques that have been borrowed from across STEM, allowing them to see how the sciences can be applied to humanities subjects.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:
1.
Assess the ways in which scientific techniques borrowed from across a wide range of disciplines can be applied to archaeological investigations
2.
Evaluate the relative merits of using different archaeological science techniques to analyse material from the very diverse range of sites
3.
Critique published papers that use advanced archaeological scientific techniques to interpret an archaeological site or archaeological material and articulate the advantages and possible drawbacks of using that analytical technique
4.
Criticise and defend the ways in which big archaeological science stories are presented to the public via popular science and current affairs outlets
Assessments
To view assessment information, select an availability from the drop down, towards the top right of the screen.
Current students should refer to FLO for detailed assessment information, including due dates. Assessment information is accurate at the time of publishing.
For policy details, visit Assessments