Studying at York
Interpreting Prehistory - ARC00070I
- Department: Archaeology
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
- See module specification for other years: 2024-25
Module summary
The Interpreting Prehistory module allows students to begin to engage in more detail with different time periods and cultural contexts within the prehistoric era (Palaeolithic to Iron Age). The module gives students the opportunity to explore a range of prehistoric societies while keeping in mind a selection of key themes which run consistently across each teaching block. Students will be asked to think critically about how each theme is materially manifested in the various time periods, and will make links between themes within and across different time periods.
Related modules
A directed option - students must pick which Interpreting module to take, either Interpreting Prehistory OR Interpreting Historical Archaeology
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2023-24 |
Module aims
This module should:
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Provide students with a more in-depth understanding of the prehistoric past, defined as periods before which societies had writing and documentation.
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Make links between a range of prehistoric time periods through an examination of a series of important archaeological themes.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of this module students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad and comparative understanding of prehistoric archaeology
- Demonstrate an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of enquiry within the discipline, constructing an in-depth critical argument that links evidence and themes across the periods they have studied
- Communicate complex ideas and arguments through essay writing
Module content
This module is divided up into three blocks of teaching which are period- or context-based, each taught by a member of staff expert in that subject. The blocks may change from year to year, and periods of study could include Middle Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, or Iron Age societies within Europe or further afield. In each block, a selection of key themes will be explored through lectures and interactive discussion, and these themes will remain consistent across the time period blocks. This approach allows students to examine how the meanings and material expression of different aspects of human life changed over time, dependent on the historical, cultural, or social contexts in which people lived. Assessments will ask students to demonstrate their knowledge of the archaeological evidence underpinning the themes in each period, and to conduct analysis and make interpretations which link the different themes within and across the time periods under study.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Formative: written feedback from module leaders
Summative: written feedback within the University's turnaround policy
Indicative reading
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Spikins, P., 2022. Reframing Neandethals. In P. Spikins. Hidden Depths: the origins of human connection. White Rose University Press.
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Milner, N., Conneller, C. & Taylor, B. (eds.) 2018. Star Carr, Vols 1 &2, York: White Rose University Press.
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Lewis-Williams, D. & Pearce, D. 2005. Inside the Neolithic Mind, London: Thames and Hudson.