AR2FAO-Ancient objects: materials and meanings

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Andrew Souter
Email: a.p.souter@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module is designed to give you a deeper understanding of how artefacts are recorded, analysed and interpreted as a cornerstone of archaeological practise.  The module will expose you to a wide range of artefactual materials covering at least two different chronological periods (e.g. prehistoric, Roman and/or medieval) grounded in hands-on teaching and assessment techniques.  There are also options covering methodological aspects (e.g. the illustration of artefacts and the application of cutting-edge scientific techniques to record and interpret ancient objects). In addition to developing your expertise in the handling, recording and analysis of artefacts, the module will challenge you to think about how the study of artefacts can contribute to an understanding of fundamental archaeological themes such as social identity, cultural interaction, technology and trading systems.  

Aims:

The module aims to provide students with a broad-based understanding of the skills, techniques and interpretive frameworks specific to the study of artefacts. It is grounded in hands-on learning and assessment techniques and draws upon a wide range of materials and object categories represented in the department’s teaching collections.  It inspires students to think about the wider relevance of ancient objects as a key source for understanding the nature of societies, identities and economies in the past.  In addition, the module will help to prepare students for the analysis of data in their dissertations. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to: 

• identify and make informed observations about a variety of artefactual data


• prepare archaeological drawings of artefacts and/or summarise artefact data using standard visualisation techniques (e.g. graphs)


• produce brief reports on objects, assemblage compositions and their archaeological implications


• demonstrate an awareness of how scientific techniques contribute to the archaeological interpretation of artefacts

Additional outcomes:

The module will also give students broad experience in problem-solving through exercises in drawing, analysing and interpreting artefactual material. Team-working skills will be developed through practical classes, and experience will be obtained in writing laboratory reports. Numeracy will be enhanced through data gathering, measurement, and/or statistical analysis in the artefactual practicals, and through exercises in measurement, scale, and geometry provided by the illustration classes. Skills in visual analysis will also be developed, as will knowledge of analytical techniques. 

Outline content:

The module introduces students to a wide variety of archaeological materials of different periods. Students choose two out of a number of practical options with a gap after each block for completing their assessments. These may include prehistoric lithics, Roman small finds, and/or medieval pottery/small finds.  Additional options include the illustration of objects (including hand-drawn and digital techniques) and/or the application of scientific techniques to reconstruct the compositio n, technology and biography of ancient artefacts.

All elements will involve the practice of core techniques of observation, description, recording, measurement, analysis and interpretation of primary archaeological data. 

Global context:

Teaching of this module will situate the archaeology of objects within global and international contexts in relation to identity formation, migration and long-distance exchange networks. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A mixture of lectures and practical sessions - students select two options from a range that normally includes: Lithics, Roman and medieval pottery and/or small finds, archaeological drawing and/or scientific material analysis. All sessions are very practical and require students to analyse and present primary data.



This is a 10 credit module, which means that it is intended to occupy you for 100 hours of work: practical classes, background reading, and preparing and writing your option reports. With that in mind the kind of workload you should expect might be as follows:

• 2 hours: Introductory lecture


• 24 hours: Formal teaching sessions (practicals)


• 24 hours: Background reading


• 50 hours: Reading for, preparing, and writing/illustrating your reports 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	2
Practicals classes and workshops	24
Guided independent study:	74
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will submit two written practical reports (1000 words; 50% each) OR one written report and one drawing portfolio (50% each). Detailed guidance will be provided in class.



- Relative percentage of coursework: 100% 

Formative assessment methods:

Verbal feedback will be provided in class on the basis of the practical work undertaken by students. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of coursework in August/September. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 24 June 2021