Prospectus

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Seminar prospective field archaeology

Course
2011-2012

Compulsory attendance

Yes.

Admission requirements

Degree students (including Dutch BA graduates): BA degree (or equivalent) in Archaeology or a relevant discipline.
SAP and Exchange Students: BA degree. Admission only after formal application.

Description

The heritage management cycle generally starts with a desk-based assessment of available data in a particular region and with subsequent valuation of the archaeological landscape that is hidden in the soil. In this seminar the methodological problems involved in prospection and in predictive models are discussed. Students learn how to make a proper research outline for prospective research and for field walking in particular.
If possible, the design will be applied in a practical situation during a three-day survey, generally in the Maaskant region just south of the river Meuse.

Course objectives

  • Ability to apply interpretative approaches to data;

  • Ability to translate site distribution data into a predictive model for that region;

  • Knowledge of predictive models and survey methods;

  • Ability to assess critical factors in research (risk analysis);

  • Oral presentation skills;

  • Working in a team.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in the MA time schedule.

Mode of instruction

  • Formal lectures on desk-based research, prospection methods and predictive models by guest speakers;

  • Presentation and discussion by participants;

  • Ffieldwork (three-day survey).

Assessment method

  • Three-day survey + report. The fieldwork report needs to be handed in within 15 days after fieldwork has ended;

  • Assignments;

  • Presentations in class.

Reading list

One should be familiar with the Dutch and British standards for excavations.
Dutch standard (in English).
latest version (only Dutch) = version 3.2, cf. www.sikb.nl.

Advised reading:
M. Carver, _Archaeological Investigation. Routledge (2010). ISBN: 978-0-415-48919-5

Registration

Register for this course via uSis.
Instructions for registration can be found in the uSis manual.

Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.

Contact information

For more information about this course, please contact prof. dr H. Fokkens.