Admission requirements
Admission to the Research Master Archaeology programme.
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 an 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 catalogue.
Course set-up
Week 1: Wednesday 4 September 13-15
Location: Leiden
Activities: Lecture and practical session.
Week 2: Wednesday 11 September 13-15
Location: Leiden
Activities: Feedback on assignment, counting assignment (25%), practical test.
Additional Information for RMA Students: Extra background on shipwrecks.
Week 3: Tuesday 17 September-Wednesday 18 September or Friday 20 September
Location: Lelystad-Batavialand, including a practical lecture at 13.00.
Activities: Students will spend one day this week identifying 15 objects at Batavialand. There will be 3 days to choose from. You can go and leave between 8 and 17, but must be present during the practical lecture, ca. 13:00-13:45. Each shipwreck is coordinated by an RMA student to ensure that all items are identified and properly uploaded to Deventersysteem.nl with a good picture.
Week 4: Wednesday 25 September 13-15
Location: Leiden
Activities: Lecture, guestlecture by Dr Torbjorn Brorsson, Dutch ceramics & results from the IPC analysis, feedback and guidance for uploading batch.
Week 5:Tuesday 1 October-Wednesday 2 October or Friday 4 October
Location: Lelystad
Activities: Students will spend one day this week identifying 15 objects at Batavialand. There will be 3 days to choose from. You can go and leave between 8 and 17. Each shipwreck is coordinated by an RMA student to ensure that all items are identified and properly uploaded to Deventersysteem.nl with a good picture.
Due this week: submission of proposal paper.
Week 6: Wednesday 9 October
Location: Leiden
Activities: Lecture
Week 7: Wednesday 16 October
Location: Leiden
Activities: Poster presentation (25%)
RMA Students are expected to actively participate in the poster competition
Course objectives
Specific knowledge:
Introduction to and experience in describing and analysing pre-industrial ceramics;
Deep knowledge of the Dutch classification system;
Introduction to archaeological legacy data and shipwrecks.
Academic skills:
Experience with primary source material;
Experience working with a research group;
Writing skills;
presentation skills;
Additional for RMA students: coordination skills.
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 – compulsary attendence;
Readings and assignments.
Assessment method
Introductory assignment unfulfilled/fulfilled;
Counting assignment (graded) (25%);
Identification of fifteen objects unfulfilled/fulfilled; the final product ~15 complete objects in the Deventersysteem.nl including photographs and drawings;
Proposal topic paper in bullet points (unfilled/fulfilled);
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.
Reading list
TBA.
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. R.M.R. (Roos) van Oosten.
Remarks
This course contains a field trip, the costs of which are paid for by the students themselves.