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Module description

Fieldwork is a key research tool in archaeology and develops many skills that have extensive professional applications. Through your IOA/UCL-supported fieldwork, including digital and archive projectsyou will gain knowledge of methods,techniques and broader skills that may be applied in archaeological, and many non-archaeological, contexts and situations. The emphasis of this module is on gaining experience and competence, or on developing upon existing competence, in the broad range of techniques involved in research practice. During your fieldwork and digital projects, you will variously learn and undertake: surface exploration and excavation; environmental sampling techniques; recording; post excavation processing and analyses; museum work; digital and archival work; study trips; and outreach participation.

Module Aims

This module’s aims are to:-

• Introduce students to skills essential for the practice of field, digital and archival archaeology and give them practical training in these skills.

• Introduce students to aspects of field archaeology and digital projects at an intellectually demanding level.

• Cultivate the practice of maintaining Fieldwork Notebooks which includes passages reflecting on project elements as well as personal performance.

• Guide students in the personal evaluation of performance in their work experience, as might benefit a job application or interview.

Module Objectives

The course will provide students with the opportunities to:-

• Gain knowledge of the implementation of a project design.

• Understand the process of setting up and executing a field project or field-related project.

• Gain experience in a range of excavation and practical study techniques.

• Gain experience of post excavation processing/archival work/presentation work.

• Undertake recording to a professional standard.

• Perform assigned tasks as part of a team.

• Identify problems and questions and to participate effectively in discussions.

• With guidance, undertake tasks independently.

Learning Outcomes

(a) Knowledge and understanding of how to locate; recover; record; and present archaeological data, whether field or laboratory based; to assess archaeological data critically; and to solve problems of conflicting methods and data presentation.

(b) To be able to question interpretations of data, however authoritative, and be able to reassess evidence for yourself.

(c) To have achieved a level of competence in core archaeological practical skills.

(d) To have achieved a level of competence in a range of transferable skills including being able to apply an understanding of relevant archaeological concepts and methods in non-archaeological situations.

(g) To be able to work as part of a team.

(h) To have produced a personal portfolio, based on research project experience that demonstrates acquired skills; skills of evaluation; and an understanding of the academic context and value of the project.