Please note: This course description is provisional and still subject to changes.
Admission requirements
Admission to the MSc Archaeology programme Archaeological Science;
Passed BA2 Bioarchaeology and BA2 Seminar Botany or other foundational course in the basics of (palaeo)botany/-ecology/-biology or similar will be beneficial to make the most of this course.
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, interpretation and dissemination.
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. The sediment characteristics from the site studied will determine if a palynological or plant macrofossil investigation is undertaken.
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
Mainly practical (using microscopes to examine fossils from an archaeological context) plus mini lectures to address important issues.
Assessment method
Participation in the practicals and one written report in the form of a draft to be submitted to an academic journal.
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
Relevant literature will be put forward in mini lectures that will be uploaded to Brightspace and students will be expected to track down relevant publications by themselves.
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
Lecturer/course coordinator: dr. M.H. (Mike) Field.
Support: Dr Ilse Kamerling