An Introduction to British Archaeology - CED00049C

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Module summary

The British Isles have been inhabited by humans and our hominid predecessors for around a million years, during which time ancient societies have left behind a huge and diverse range of material remains bearing witness to their lives and activities. Archaeologists investigate these remains to understand the people and societies who created them. The module considers the archaeology of the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval / modern periods in Britain, prefaced with sessions outlining the history, principles and organisation of archaeological research in the UK.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Summer Term 2023-24

Module aims

The British Isles have been inhabited by humans and our hominid predecessors for around a million years, during which time ancient societies have left behind a huge and diverse range of material remains bearing witness to their lives and activities. Archaeologists investigate these remains to understand the people and societies who created them. The module considers the archaeology of the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval / modern periods in Britain, prefaced with sessions outlining the history, principles and organisation of archaeological research in the UK.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will –

•    be able to identify the major chronological phases in British archaeology, from early prehistory through to the modern and industrial periods

•    be able to evaluate the cultural characteristics of the major chronological phases

•    have developed an appreciation of the depth of chronology and the breadth of evidence that exists in the archaeological study of the British Isles

•    understand, in outline, the development of archaeology in Britain, its organisation, and the main approaches and methods involved in its investigation

•    have acquired an overview of the current state of knowledge of the archaeology of the Palaeolithic to post-medieval periods in Britain
 

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

• Crossley, D. 1990, Post-medieval archaeology in Britain.
• Darvill, T. 2010, Prehistoric Britain.
• Hinton, D.A. 1990, Archaeology, Economy and Society:  England from the fifth to the fifteenth century.
• Hunter, J.G. & Ralston, I.M. 2009, The Archaeology of Britain: an introduction from the earliest times to the 21st century.
• Longworth, I.H. & Cherry, J. 1986, Archaeology in Britain since 1945.
• Megaw, J.V.S & Simpson, D.D.A 1984, An Introduction to British Prehistory.
• Miles, D. 2005, The Tribes of Britain.
• Millett, M. 1995, English Heritage Book of Roman Britain.
• Pryor, F. 2011, The Making of the British Landscape: how we have transformed the land, from prehistory to today.
• Richards, J.D. 2004, Viking Age England.
• Schofield, J. 2010, Great Excavations: shaping the archaeological profession.
• Welch, M.G. 1992, English Heritage Book of Anglo-Saxon England.