Admission requirements
You can only take part in this module when you have passed the first part of the course (i.e. Area Specialisation Europe: Block 1).
Description
This is a hands-on lecture course with a focus on material culture from shipwrecks dating from 1500 to 1900. We will be working with the best-dated and most well-preserved archaeological collection in the Low Countries and beyond.
After a short introduction to ceramics and the Dutch classification system, you will work with the collection yourself. The focus will be on ceramics and glass, but other artefacts will be touched upon (such as ship’s equipment, personal belongings and navigational equipment).
Although many pottery complexes from urban archaeological contexts have been published, their dating is usually broad. Shipwrecks cannot always be dated to the year, but they can be dated much more precisely than pottery from cesspits.
The determinations made during this course will be entered into the online database system of the Dutch classification system. After verification, the determinations will be made available to ceramics specialists.
The work done during the course, therefore, will contribute directly to improving the existing body of knowledge. Furthermore, the determination data will be made available to Batavialand for the Maritime image bank.
You will make your own catalogues for your data report in Adobe InDesign.
Course set-up
Week 1: one hour lecture and three hours of practical
Weeks 2-4: students will work one day a week on identifying the objects at Batavialand
Week 5: three hours InDesign practical in Leiden
Week 6: Lecture and practical assignment
Week 7: Poster presentation in Leiden.
Course objectives
Specific knowledge
Introduction to and experience in describing and analysing pre-industrial ceramics;
Deep knowledge of the Dutch classification system;
Introduction to several material categories.
Academic skills
Experience with primary source material;
Experience working with a research group;
Writing skills;
Introduction to and experience in using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button.
Mode of instruction
Lectures;
Practical sessions;
Readings and assignments.
Assessment method
Introductory assignment unfulfilled/fulfilled;
Identification of fifteen objects unfulfilled/fulfilled;
Counting assignment (graded) (25%);
Poster and poster pitch (week 7) (25%);
Final assignment (50%);
In order to pass the course, all assignments must be submitted and fulfilled. The introductory assignment and the identification of fifteen objects must be a serious attempt, otherwise it will be recorded as a fail/unfulfilled.
The final assignment must be a pass, and is the only assignment that can be retaken.
Assessment deadlines
All assessment deadlines (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button. To view the assessment deadline(s), make sure to select the course with a code ending in T and/or R.
The assignments have strict weekly deadlines. Please note: extensions on assignments will not be given.
Reading list
To be announced.
Registration
See Area Specialisation Europe (enroll for the whole course).
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact dr. R.M.R. (Roos) van Oosten.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance;
The archaeological collection is kept at Batavialand in Lelystad. Please note that you are responsible for your own transportation to Lelystad. Leiden–Lelystad takes one hour by train and then 20 minutes by bus or bike to Batavialand. There is a good public transport connection.