Prospectus

nl en

Archaeological Science Specialisation Course: Archaeobotany

Course
2024-2025

Admission requirements

Description

Archaeo-and palaeobotanical research requires knowledge of collecting, extracting, determining and curating Pleistocene and/or Holocene plant fossils and, in addition, presentation of fossil botanical data and data analysis.

All these aspects will be addressed in detail based on the study of fossiliferous sediments from a Quaternary site that contains archaeology (either lithic artefacts, cut-marked bone of both). The site for study will depend on what is available at the time.

This is an advanced exercise which will lead to the production of data, if handled correctly, that can be published in a refereed, international journal.

Course objectives

  • An advanced knowledge of and insight into the research methods and techniques and their application possibilities within palaeobotany and archaeobotany (pollen and spores, and/or plant macrofossils);

  • An advanced knowledge of and insight into the relevance of these techniques to archaeology;

  • Ability to recognise plant macrofossils/pollen and spores from Quaternary deposits that also contain Palaeolithic archaeology;

  • Ability to determine and distinguish characteristic morphological features leading to accurate identification using extensive reference collections;

  • Ability to present and analyse palaeobotanical data (e.g. learning to use Tilia software);

  • Ability to conduct archaeobotanical research in a multidisciplinary approach that adds value to archaeological investigations;

  • Ability to write a research report based on the practical work completed in the course.

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

Practical.

Assessment method

  • Report (60%);

  • Practical attendance (40%).

A retake consists of the improvement of the report within six weeks after the submission of the first version, but only if the attendance requirements have been met.

Assessment deadlines:
The dates of exams and retakes can be found in MyTimetable. The deadlines of papers, essays and assignments are communicated through Brightspace.

The report will be submitted two weeks after the end of the practical work.

Reading list

To be handed out during class, and will be relevant to the site investigated.

Registration

Enrolment for all components of your study programme through MyStudymap is mandatory. This applies to both compulsory elements and elective credits. If you are not enrolled, you may not participate.

General information about registration can be found on the Course and exam enrolment page.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact dr. M.H. (Mike) Field.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.