Artefacts and Materials
| Module title | Artefacts and Materials |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARC1040 |
| Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Gillian Juleff (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Module description
This module will introduce you to the fascinating subject of material culture as applied in archaeology. Teaching is done through a combination of introductory lectures and hands-on activities. Some of the work and assignments are done as small group exercises. The module will develop your skills in recognising artefacts and materials and an understanding of how archaeologists deal with them. Along with learning about artefacts as objects you will also learn about how they were made, their place in time and how they contribute to our understanding of the past. You do not need any prior experience with these materials and the module is appropriate within interdisciplinary studies.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module will develop skills in recognising artefacts and materials and an understanding of how archaeologists deal with them. Modified materials form artefacts and structures and are a basic category of archaeological evidence. The module will introduce some of the key material categories encountered by archaeologists through practical assignments using a variety of presentation formats.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Recognise key features relating to the properties and processes of manufacture and use for different materials
- 2. Know appropriate methods for recording and analysing archaeological finds
- 3. Identify artefact types and use the concept of types effectively
- 4. Draw observations and interpretations from real objects and groups or assemblages of artefacts
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Appreciate the significance of physical materials and traditional technologies in interpreting the past
- 6. Assimilate numerical and graphical data
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Work using a combination of physical material and documentary resources available in a variety of formats/media
- 8. Contribute as an individual within group work
- 9. Produce clear and concise work in a variety of written and presentational formats
Syllabus plan
This module is arranged as a series of themed elements linked to artefact and material categories. Each element will include introductory presentations supported by physical and digitised learning resources practical exercises and independent individual and group study. Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Introduction to artefacts
- Stone artefacts
- Pottery and ceramics
- Metals and technological waste
- Organic and composite materials and artefacts
- Perishable materials
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 117 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 33 | Lecture content, discussion events and guided exercises (equivalent to 11 x 2 hour sessions) |
| Guided independent study | 117 | Private study using online learning resources and individual artefact packs |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual materials audit | Proforma survey report | 2-4, 7, 9 | Written feedback |
| Artefact description | 250 words based on individual pack material | 1-7, 9 |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group written assignment: an illustrated artefact report | 50 | 1500 words per group | All | Written feedback |
| Artefact-based quiz | 50 | Short questions on a collection of up to 15 objects (either physical or digital format) | All | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group written assignment: an illustrated artefact report | Written assignment: an individual illustrated artefact report (750 words, plus references) | 1-7, 9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Artefact-based quiz | Written report on a small assemblage of objects (digital and/or physical format, 1000 words plus references) | 1-7, 9 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Re-assessment for in-class based test will be coursework.
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Hurcombe, L.M., 2007: Archaeological Artefacts as Material Culture. London: Routledge.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 30/06/2014 |
| Last revision date | 15/07/2020 |
