AR2P14-Prehistoric Europe: the first million years

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 20 [10 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 Rob Hosfield
Email: r.hosfield@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module covers Europe’s prehistory, from the earliest Palaeolithic through to the Middle Iron Age (c. 1,600,000–400 BC), from Turkey and the Balkans to Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia. We will address important research questions such as the contrasting behaviours and environmental tolerances of ‘modern’ humans (H. sapiens) and ‘archaic’ hominins (e.g. the Neanderthals and H. heidelbergensis) over the last 1 million years or more; the effects of climate and sea-level change on human lives; why farming initially spread across the continent; how and why burial rites changed through time; how the first use of metals came about; and the kinds of later prehistoric societies that developed before the Roman Empire. We will look at themes such as technology (lithic and organic) and dietary strategies, life histories and hominin cognitive abilities, settlement and burial archaeology, ritual practice, and comparative anthropology. The aim of the module is to provide an introduction to prehistoric archaeology across Europe, and to the types of archaeological evidence that are encountered when studying this period. We will also go on a behind the scenes field trip to a museum. 

Aims:

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of:

• the European Palaeolithic’s key hominin species and their behaviours;


• the major social and economic changes that took place in Europe from c. 10,000–400 BC;


• the Pleistocene and Holocene climates and environments to which prehistoric Europeans were adapted;


• the methods used for analysing and interpreting the evidence from the archaeological record of prehistoric Europe.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Recognize and describe the particular character of the archaeological evidence for prehistoric Europe;


• Identify the major social and economic changes that occurred in prehistoric Europe;


• Critically evaluate different methodological approaches to, and theoretical interpretations of, these changes;


• Compare changes in different regions of Europe for this period;


• Organise material and articulate arguments effectively in written coursework.

Additional outcomes:

Participation in seminars will enable you to develop and apply you communication and presentation skills through structured discussion sessions and presentations. Your research and analytical skills will be developed through participation in the seminars and completion of the written coursework components. You will also develop your IT skills through preparing your group project assignment, and through researching sources for the coursework essay.

Outline content:

This module covers prehistoric Europe, from the earliest Palaeolithic to the Middle Iron Age (c. 1,600,000–400 BC).

The sorts of topic covered include:

1. Climates and environments in prehistoric Europe


2. Hominins before humans


3. Hunter-gatherer diets and lifestyles


4. Hunter-gatherer technologies


5. The idea and spread of farming


6. Monumental architecture and t he creation of place


7. Metals and the rise of ‘elites’


8. Ritual deposition


9. Death and burial in prehistoric Europe


10. Art in prehistoric Europe

Global context:

Europe

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This course is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, group discussions and debates, student presentations, directed reading, assignments, a knapping practical, and a field trip.

There will be 10 main teaching sessions, plus a student presentation session. Each of the main sessions will last two hours, including class discussions.

As a 20 credit module, the module should involve 200 hours of study time: attending lectures and seminars, gene ral background reading, preparing for seminars, and reading for, and writing, your written coursework. You should therefore expect the following sort of workload:

• 26 - Contact hours in formal teaching sessions (lectures, seminars, practicals etc.)


• 4 - Field trip


• 60 - General background reading and note-taking from key texts for each week


• 90 - Reading for, preparation of, and writing your essay and other coursework
  
• 20 - Reading, note-taking, and preparation of your seminar presentation and for class discussions

Introductory reading:

Fokkens, H. & Harding, A. (eds.) 2013. The Oxford Handbook of the European Bronze Age. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Available as an e-book].

Fowler, C., Harding, J. & Hoffman, D. (eds.) 2015. The Oxford Handbook of Neolithic Europe. Oxford: Oxf ord University Press. [Available as an e-book]

Gamble, C. 1999. The Palaeolithic Societies of Europe. Cambridge: CUP. Chapters 1 & 8

Stringer, C. 2006. Homo Britannicus. London: Penguin.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	14
Practicals classes and workshops	2
External visits	4
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (directed)	60
Preparation for seminars	20
Group study tasks	30
Essay preparation	60
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Project output other than dissertation	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One individual essay, 2500 words (60%)

Research-led group project (a guided tour of European prehistory), 3000 words (40%).

Formative assessment methods:

You will also prepare a short seminar presentation (in small groups), based around the group project. These seminar presentations are not formally marked and do not count towards the overall module mark, but general feedback will be provided. Oral feedback will also be provided during and/or after general discussion seminars.

 

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

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