Archaeology (MSc): Material Culture Studies
This MSc-specialisation revolves around the study of the cultural biographies of portable artefacts made of flint and other types of stone, ceramics, bone, antler, shell, coral, metal or glass.
Our aim is the reconstruction of technological processes by examining the interconnectivity of different chaînes opératoires in order to better understand varied relationships between people and artefacts. The programme’s courses deal with current approaches in material culture theory, analytical methods and techniques employed in artefact studies, and experimental archaeology.
Experiments are central in both our research and teaching and are conducted in the experimental laboratory as well as in the setting of Huize Horsterwold, the Stone Age hamlet we are constructing and using. We specialise in provenience studies of various raw materials and wear trace and residue analysis, using primarily microscopic and chemical analytical techniques. These specialisations are taught in laboratory tutorials.
There is a close cooperation with the Material Sciences and Geophysics divisions of the Technical University in Delft. In order to be admitted to the MSc-programme Material Culture Studies you must be acquainted with a number of texts which will be tested by means of an oral exam taking place in the first month of your programme.
In order to be admitted to the MSc-programme Material Culture Studies you must be acquainted with the following texts which will be tested by means of an interview taking place at the end of September:
Hodges, H. 1964 (or later reprints). Artifacts. An Introduction to Early Materials and Technology. London.
Miller, H.M.L. 2009. Archaeological Approaches to Technology. Walnut Creek, CA.
Pollard, M., C. Batt, B. Stern & S.M.M. Young 2007. Analytical Chemistry in Archaeology, part III, Some Basic Chemistry for Archaeologists, Cambridge, pp. 215-320.
Please note: if you want to take this MSc as a second specialisation, you will be invited for a compulsory advisory interview before the start of the programme.
Staff
Dr. D.J.G. (Dennis) Braekmans
Prof. dr. J. (Joris) Dik (Delft Technical University)
Prof. dr. A.L. (Annelou) van Gijn