Methods and Techniques in Prehistoric Archaeology
Code: 106852 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2504611 Archaeology | FB | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Ana Maria Bach Gómez
- Email:
- anna.bach.gomez@uab.cat
Teachers
- Francisco Javier Clop Garcia
- Antonio Palomo Pérez
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
Have previously studied the subject of Introduction to Archeology.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The subject's objective is the practical introduction to the basic knowledge of the methodology and field techniques in prehistoric archeology. Special emphasis will be placed on the methods and techniques for
analyzing the formation of archaeological sites and archaeological stratigraphy.
Excavation techniques, sampling strategies, documentation and field record will be used.
Learning Outcomes
- CM08 (Competence) Plan the process of field work in archaeology, identifying its different phases (planning, execution and results analysis), organising work teams and distributing different tasks among its members to achieve the expected goals.
- KM10 (Knowledge) Apply multidisciplinary techniques and methods to the processing and analysis of archaeological records and materials in field work: introduction to topography, archaeological drawing of plans and sections, analysis of sediments and stratigraphy, identification in the field of the different types of archaeological materials and application of techniques for the preservation of movable and immovable archaeological materials.
- KM11 (Knowledge) Organise different activities in archaeology field work that are adapted to the different types of proposed operations and purposes.
- KM12 (Knowledge) Analytically classify different movable and immovable archaeological materials and remains.
- SM09 (Skill) Critically assess the different situations that arise during field work and be able to reorganise the processes of field work and treatment of archaeological materials depending on the circumstances that have occurred.
- SM10 (Skill) Apply the main methods, techniques and instruments of analysis in field of archaeology: archaeological prospecting, stratigraphic surveys and open area excavations.
- SM11 (Skill) Use technological equipment in field work: total stations, theodolites, GPS and image production equipment.
- SM12 (Skill) Use the basic procedures for consolidation and preservation of archaeological materials in the field.
Content
1. ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH PROJECTS
- Preliminary approaches to an archaeological excavation: research projects, categories of archaeological
interventions.
- Methods and field techniques in prehistoric archeology
2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION
- Prospecting as an archaeological methodology for space analysis.
- Prospecting and sampling strategy: targeted prospecting and systematic prospecting
- Techniques of surface survey and remote sensing.
- The systems of registration in archaeological surveys.
3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION
- Fundamentals for the elaboration of an archaeological excavation project: the choice of the site, the planning
of the excavation, equipment and equipment.
- The development of excavation techniques. The concept of stratification: archaeological surveys. The
excavation in extension. General drilling strategies.
- Excavation documentation. Excavation units: observation and analysis units. Plants and sections.
Computerization of archaeological data. The photography and the digital recording in Archeology.
- Examples of excavation methodology.
- Case studies and analysis of the archaeologists contributions relevant to the discipline.
-Ethics and professional activity.
- Memoirs and reports on archaeological survey and excavation projects. Publication of archaeological data.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Theoretical introductions during field practice sessions | 5 | 0.2 | CM08, KM10, KM11, SM10, CM08 |
| Theoretical introductory lessons in the classroom | 10 | 0.4 | SM10, SM10 |
| Training methods in field archaeology, topography, stratigraphy, identification, registration of archaeological elements, sampling, gender inclusion. | 50 | 2 | SM09, SM10, SM11, SM12, SM09 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Bibliographic research | 10 | 0.4 | SM10, SM10 |
| Tutorials: Comment and disscussion of practice dossiers | 13 | 0.52 | KM11, KM11 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Completation of the fieldwork dossier | 30 | 1.2 | KM11, KM12, SM09, SM10, KM11 |
| Writting papers | 30 | 1.2 | KM11, KM12, SM09, SM10, KM11 |
Competencies will be evaluated through work.
The evaluation system is organized in 2 modules:
Module 1: planning pre-field research project: global weight of 30%
Module 2: Fieldworks and dossier of practices: global weight of 70% (20% fieldworks and 50% dossier of practices).
The final grade will be the average of the different modules. To pass the subject, a score of 5 must be obtained on a scale of 10.
It will be considered not presented in the case that the student does not carry out practical work on the ground or does not submit one of the written works.
In order to be eligible for the re-assessment test, the student must have completed the 5-day fieldwork and presented the work of planning and planning a pre-field research project. The re-evaluation will consist of a
written test on methods and techniques of fieldwork in prehistoric archeology.
At the time of completion/delivery of each assessment activity, the teacher will inform (Moodle, SIA) of the procedure and date of revision of the grades.
Students will obtain a Not assessed/Not submitted course grade unless they have submitted more than 30% of the assessment items.
In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.
If tests or exams cannot be taken onsite, they will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB's virtual tools (original weighting will be maintained). Homework, activities and class
participation will be carried out through forums, wikis and/or discussion on Teams, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools or will offer themfeasible alternatives.
However, it is considered essential to be able to carry out the field practices in person. If this is not possible, the teaching team will look for an alternative to guarantee the training of the students.
This subject does not incorporate single assessment.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldworks and delivery of the internship dossier | 70% | 1 | 0.04 | CM08, KM10, KM11, KM12, SM09, SM10, SM11, SM12 |
| Planning of the excavation project prior to the fieldwork | 30% | 1 | 0.04 | CM08, KM11 |
Competencies will be evaluated through work.
The evaluation system is organized in 2 modules:
Module 1: planning pre-field research project: global weight of 30%
Module 2: Fieldworks and dossier of practices: global weight of 70% (20% fieldworks and 50% dossier of practices).
The final grade will be the average of the different modules. To pass the subject, a score of 5 must be obtained on a scale of 10.
It will be considered not presented in the case that the student does not carry out practical work on the ground or does not submit one of the written works.
In order to be eligible for the re-assessment test, the student must have completed the 5-day fieldwork and presented the work of planning and planning a pre-field research project. The re-evaluation will consist of a
written test on methods and techniques of fieldwork in prehistoric archeology.
At the time of completion/delivery of each assessment activity, the teacher will inform (Moodle, SIA) of the procedure and date of revision of the grades.
Students will obtain a Not assessed/Not submitted course grade unless they have submitted more than 30% of the assessment items.
In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.
If tests or exams cannot be taken onsite, they will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB's virtual tools (original weighting will be maintained). Homework, activities and class
participation will be carried out through forums, wikis and/or discussion on Teams, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools or will offer themfeasible alternatives.
However, it is considered essential to be able to carry out the field practices in person. If this is not possible, the teaching team will look for an alternative to guarantee the training of the students.
This subject does not incorporate single assessment.
Bibliography
BANNING, E.B. (2002). Archaeological Survey. Plenum Publischers, New York.
BURKE, H.; DOMINO, I.; SMITH, C. (2015). Manual de campo del arqueólogo. Ariel. Madrid. BURILLO, F. (coord.) (2004) "Arqueología espacial: prospección". Arqueología espacial 24-25. Teruel: Seminario de Arqueología y Etnología Turolense
CARANDINI, A. (1997). Historias de la tierra. Manual de excavación arqueológica, Ed. Crítica, Barcelona. COLLIS, J. (2001). Digging up the past. An introduction to archaeological excavation. Sutton: Phoenix Mill Thrupp. DABAS, M. et al. (1998). La prospection. Errance,Paris.
DINCAUZE, DENA F. (2000). Environmental Archaeology: Principles and Practice. Cambridge University Press, New York.
DREWETT, P.L. (1999). Field Archaeology: an introduction. London: Routledge.
ELLIS, L., ed. (2000). Archaeological Method and Theory: An Encyclopedia. Garland Publishing, Inc., New York.
GAFFNEY, C. & GATER, J. (2003). Revealing the Buried Past. Geophysics for Archaeologists. Tempus, Gloucestersshire.
GOLDBERG, P. & MacPHAIL, R.I. (2006). Practical and Theoretical geoarchaeology. Blackwell, Oxford.
GONZÁLEZ RUIBAL, A.; AYÁN, X. (2018). Arqueología: Una introducción al estudio de la materialidad del pasado. Alianza Ed. madrid
GOLDBERG, PAUL, VANCE T. HOLLIDAY, & C. REID FERRING (editors) (2001). Earth Sciences and Archaeology. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York.
POLLARD, A.M. (Ed.) (1999). Geoarchaeology: exploration, environments, resources. London: Geological Society.
HERZ, N. AND E. GARRISON (1997). Geological Methods for Archaeology. Cambridge University Press. RAPP, G., & HILL, C.L.(Eds.) (1998). Geoarchaeology. The Earth-science approach to archaeological interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press.
ROSKAMS, S.(2003).Teoría y Práctica de la Excavación.Ed. Crítica, Barcelona.
STEWART, R. MICHAEL (2002). Archaeology: Basic Field Methods. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., Dubuque, Iowa.
Software
No specific software is needed.
Language list
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PCAM) Field practices | 11 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 12 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |