Admission requirements
Admission to the MSc Archaeology programme, and only if Material Culture Studies is the first focus area.
Description
Introductory lectures on the specialisations possible within the MSc focus area Material Culture Studies:
1) technological, microwear and residue studies by means of microscopy
2) ceramic petrography and technology
3) experimental archaeology
Throughout the year: practical sessions on different categories of material culture, such as ceramics, stone and organic materials, and laboratory training.
Tutorials will give you the basic knowledge and skills to carry out the analytical work for your thesis topic. You will also make a start with the laboratory analysis of your thesis material. You can choose one of the following directions, depending on your choice of thesis topic:
1) The microscopic study of objects reveals traces of manufacturing, use and treatment of objects that are not visible with the naked eye. You will learn to use stereomicroscopes, incident light microscopy and transmitted light microscopes to distinguish these traces and residues, using the extensive reference collection of experimentally used objects made of stone, bone, coral, shell and other raw materials.
2) Experimental archaeology is crucial for an improved understanding of object biographies. By carrying out experiments in a scientific context, various hypotheses about the production, treatment and use of materials can be tested.
The experimental centre at Vlaardingen-Broekpolder (a reconstruction of a Stone Age house) and the Laboratory for Material Culture Studies in Leiden are at your disposal.
3) The ceramic petrography course introduces you to the methodology and application of thin section petrography of archaeological pottery. By using principles of optical mineralogy and petrology, archaeological ceramic petrography focuses on provenance issues as well as on the reconstruction of ancient artisanal technology.
Set-up of the course
After the introductory lectures students will follow a specialisation programme with one of the three lecturers involved in the course. They then have to write a lab report which includes a critical examination of the methodology. They will also make a start, in individual tutorials, with the study material for their thesis.
Course objectives
Familiarity with analytical laboratory techniques used for the description and technological analysis of a range of artefacts;
Increased understanding of how analytical laboratory techniques can provide detailed information about artefact biographies.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in the MA and MSc time schedule.
Mode of instruction
Formal lectures;
Practical training in artefact analysis and description (round the table) and familiarising students with the interconnectivities between different chaînes opératoires;
Individual or small-group tutorials in the laboratory as a preparation for the empirical work for the students’ thesis topic;
Reading literature relevant to students' specialisations.
Course load
The course load will be distributed as follows:
Lectures (0.5 ec);
Practicals and lab work (2.5 ec);
Lab report of 2,000 words (1 ec);
140 pages of literature (1 ec).
Assessment method
Laboratory report, including a critical evaluation of the methodology employed (100%).
A retake of the report is only allowed when the attendance requirements have been met.
All exam dates (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the MA and MSc examination schedule.
Reading list
To be announced.
Registration
Registration via uSis is mandatory.
The Administration Office will register all BA1 students for their tutorials (not lectures; register via uSis!).
BA2, BA3, MA/MSc and RMA/RMSc students are required to register for all lectures and tutorials well in time.
The Administration Office registers all students for their exams, students are not required to do this in uSis.
Exchange and Study Abroad students: please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.
Contact
For more information about his course, please contact prof. dr. A.L. (Annelou) van Gijn.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance.