Admission requirements
Field techniques and Landscape Dynamics 1 obtained.
Description
During Field School 1, the main practical skills of archaeological fieldwork are practiced in a real archaeological environment.
The course consists of a (field) practical of 80 hours, the writing of daily reports (with an emphasis on strategy, analysis and interpretation) and building a (field)portfolio.
During the practical you will acquire the first basic field skills and focus on how to interpret, document and report archaeological field data. This will be documented in your personal daily reports, that focus on analytic and reporting skills relating to observations made in the field.
The field school is preceded by the course Field techniques, in which all methodologies have been explained and a selection of methods have been practised already.
In the following years, the training of practical skills remains an important part of the archaeology curriculum, to assure that all students will obtain sufficient practical skills and experience.
During Field School 1, Internship BA2, Internship BA3, and even throughout the Master programme Applied Archaeology, all necessary field skills will be registered in a portfolio which shows your personal acquired skill set and experience.
Course set-up
Field School 1 involves highly intensive training in the field, focused on instruction and practice relating to basic professional field techniques.
Acquired skills and experiences will be registered in a personal portfolio.
Course objectives
The main objective of the course is to understand site formation processes, to acquire skills in archaeological fieldwork, and the interpretation and registration of archaeological field data. This can be subdivided into:
Basic knowledge of specific archaeological excavation methods and techniques, and which method is used in which conditions;
Basic knowledge of a set of practical archaeological field skills and sampling techniques;
Ability to distinguish features created by human activity from natural formation processes;
Ability to describe archaeological data according to the applicable guidelines;
Ability to write clear and relevant daily field notes/reports (in which the Faculty guidelines are applied), supported by visual material (e.g. drawings; photographs) in such a manner that it strengthens or clarifies the description and interpretation of archaeological field data;
Ability to explain the methods involved in archaeological fieldwork to a layman audience.
Timetable
See Brightspace.
Mode of instruction
Practical.
Assessment method
Compulsory attendance;
Fieldwork portfolio with daily reports (100%).
The portfolio guidelines, Faculty guidelines and evaluation rubric can be found in the Brightspace module.
Evaluation of the daily reports will focus on how observations made in the field have been translated into a sound and comprehensive archaeological analysis.
A retake is only possible for the final fieldwork portfolio, and only in case of a grade of 5.0 or lower.
Assessment deadlines
The fieldwork portfolio must be submitted digitally within 2 weeks after the last field day.
Reading list
C. Renfrew & P. Bahn 2018, Archaeology: Methods, Theories and Practice. 8th edition (2020), pag. 74-129;
Relevant papers to be announced.
Registration
The Administration Office will register all Archaeology BA1 students in uSis for their lectures, tutorials and exams in semester 1 and semester 2.
However for exams, confirmation through MyStudymap is mandatory.
No confirmation = no participation!
If you are not a BA1 student, but want to take this course, please contact the Administration Office.
General information about registration can be found on the Course and Exam Enrolment page.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.
All information (costs, registration, entry requirements, etc.) for those who are interested in taking this course as a Contractstudent is on the Contractonderwijs Archeologie webpage (in Dutch).
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact A.J. (Arjan) Louwen MA or dr. M.S. (Maaike) de Waal.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance;
Field School 1 takes place in the municipality of Oss, situated about 100 km SE of Leiden. The Faculty of Archaeology therefore facilitates accommodation, catering and transport on site.
Therefore, some personal expenses are involved:
Travel expenses to and from Oss in the weekends;
Equipment (mandatory)
- Safety shoes (S3): available from ca. € 30,-
Contribution of € 150,-, this fee covers:
Basic excavation equipment (trowel, loupe triplet, folding ruler, safety jacket)
Accommodation (hostel)
Daily breakfast, lunch and catered dinner
Transport from the group accommodation to the Field School site
Excursion
For health and safety reasons a Tetanus vaccination is highly recommended, valid health- and liability insurances are required.