AR3F1: Post-Excavation: assessment, analysis & publication in the profession

Module code: AR3F1

Module provider: Archaeology; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Ms Amanda Clarke, email: a.s.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides you with an experience of post excavation techniques, which will help prepare you for employment with professional archaeological units and could provide a basis for museum and heritage careers. This module offers a practical introduction to post excavation techniques, building on the practical excavation and recording skills gained at the Archaeology Field School. Through the analysis of the records of a departmental excavation, you will learn how to create a dated stratigraphic sequence as part of a post-excavation site report. Using data from departmental projects, you will learn how to use a Geographic Information System (GIS) to create maps, as part of the site report. Assessment will be by the production of a post-excavation site report (including a phased matrix) and a mock interview for a job in a professional organisation. The module will also include introduction to the legal and planning policy framework of professional archaeology, preparation of a Written Scheme of Investigation and working with archaeological databases and Historic England Records.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Understand the processes of pre-excavation, excavation and post excavation, with knowledge of the legal and planning policy framework of commercial archaeology
2. Create and analyse stratigraphic matrices using an archaeological database, and to integrate the finds and environmental evidence with the stratigraphic evidence from an archaeological excavation
3. Learn how to use a Geographic Information System (GIS) to create maps, as part of a site report
4. Phase an archaeological site using spot dates, and, from this to prepare a report on an archaeological site investigation incorporating illustrations and photographs

Module content

At the start of Semester 2 you will attend a session on careers and employment within professional archaeology. This will include a short workshop on CV’s, Cover Letters and interview skills. You will have 2 x 1 hour lectures each week on different aspects of post-excavation. Additionally, there will be a 1- hour optional workshop each week where you will gain additional practical experience of working with site records, site publications and data. Optional sampling and data entry workshops will also take place during the term.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This is a practical module utilising records from current departmental excavations. As well as weekly lectures by members of departmental staff, there will be contributions by professional specialists. You will reflect on your learning experience by reference to your Archaeology Skills Passport. This will allow you to not only monitor the different post excavation skills gained, but also to critically assess your performance. The module will be taught primarily through lectures, discussion seminars and workshops. The module will also include practical sessions. The module fieldtrip is to a professional archaeology unit.

Study hours

At least 38 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

You will keep your Archaeology Skills Passport up-to-date, as a reflection of skills gained. You will create and add to your professional portfolio. You will work in groups during the workshops to carry out pieces of work for feedback, including a Database quiz, and submit a targeted CV and Cover Letter for a Post excavation job for feedback. You will be encouraged to work with the Careers Service throughout the Semester for guidance on the application process.

Reassessment

Additional costs