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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Archaeological Materials |
| Unit code |
EASC20025 |
| Credit points |
10 |
| Level of study |
I/5
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1A (weeks 1 - 6)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Benton |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Successful completion of year 1 of the Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences degree programme curriculum. |
| Co-requisites |
n/a |
| School/department |
School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
Description including Unit Aims
An introduction to the variety of natural and man-made materials utilised by Prehistoric Man in everyday life, with training in the use of the polarising microscope for petrographic analysis of natural materials and artefacts.
Aims:
You will:
- learn about the classification and nomenclature of igneous and metamorphic rocks relevant to archaeology
- relate the preservation of certain archaeological sites to the local geology
- learn petrographic techniques for identifying, studying and describing hand-specimens and thin-sections of artifacts and materials commonly found at archaeological sites
- learn about the use of stone for tools in Britain
- study ceramics manufactured by ancient peoples
- learn about the sources, processing and working of metals
- learn about the structure and taphonomy of bone
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of the unit, you should:
- be able to name, classify and make a technical description of igneous and metamorphic rocks commonly used for tools and building materials
- understand how the preservation of archaeological sites can depend on the geological history of the area
- appreciate the development of the use of stone for making tools in Britain and know which rocks were commonly used for different types of tools, together with their source areas
- understand the petrography and provenancing of ceramics and their significance
- understand the processing and working of metals
- understand the significance of bone in archaeological settings
Assessment Information
Assessed practical work contributes 50 marks, and a 3-hour exam contributes 50 marks.
Reading and References
Petrography:
- MacKenzie & Guilford, 1980. Atlas of Rock-forming Minerals in Thin Section
- MacKenzie, Donaldson & Guilford, 1982. Atlas of Igneous Rocks and their Textures
- Yardley, MacKenzie & Guilford. 1990. Atlas of Metamorphic Rocks and their Textures.
- Kempe & Harvey (Eds), 1983. The Petrology of Archaeological Artefacts
- Kempe & Harvey, 1989. The petrology of archaeological artefacts. In Henderson: 'Scientific Analysis in Archaeology'
Ceramics:
- Gibson & Woods, 1997. Prehistoric Pottery for the Archaeologist. (2nd Ed.)
- Velde & Druc, 1999. Archaeological Ceramic Materials: Origin and utilization
