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The Practice of Archaeology - CED00033C

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  • Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2026-27

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2023-24

Module aims

To provide an introduction to all aspects of assessing, collecting and analysing the primary data acquired during archaeological field work.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Understand the principles and methods of undertaking landscape and topographical surveys
  • Select, implement and interpret the results of geophysical survey
  • Understand the recording and interpretation of archaeological stratification
  • Implement the recording techniques applied to upstanding monuments and buildings
  • Devise and implement a recording and collections care strategy for artefacts and other ‘finds’ off-site
  • Describe, draw and photograph an artefact to archive standards
  • Extract information from accumulated field records

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Module feedback

The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.

The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.

Indicative reading

  • Bahn P. & Renfrew, C. (2008; 5th ed.) Archaeology: Theory, methods and practice. Thames & Hudson
  • Banning E B (2000) The Archaeologist’s Laboratory. The analysis of archaeological data Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers
  • Barker, P. A. (1977, 3rd edition 1993) Techniques of archaeological excavation
  • Roskams, S. (2001) Excavation. Cambridge University Press



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.