Introduction to Archaeology

Aims of the course

•  To introduce participants to key concepts and practical approaches in archaeology
• To learn the key methods for doing archaeology: how to retrieve information, excavation, dating.
• The foundations of archaeological interpretation. How do we know what we know? 

Course content overview

Archaeology is the study of past human life. Archaeologists primarily focus on material remains. But how do we reconstruct past lives? What questions can we answer? This course is an introduction to a fascinating discipline. It is intended for anyone with an interest in the human past. We will explore the birth of archaeology as a discipline, the methods used to retrieve information, the basics of dating and analysis and some key case studies. We will focus on the questions that archaeologists investigate and how they address these questions. In doing so, we will learn about the key techniques and methods: how to recover, record and interpret data. This course will show that archaeology is not just about objects or monuments; it includes artefacts, buildings, landscapes across time and space. 

Welcome week (Week 0)

Purpose:

• personal introductions
• introducing the course
• useful reading
• personal objectives

Learning outcomes:

• become familiar with navigating around the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and from VLE to links and back
• tested their ability to access files and the web conferencing software and sorted out any problems with the help of the eLearning Helpdesk
• learnt how to look for, assess and reference internet resources
• used forums to introduce themselves to other students
• contributed to a discussion forum to introduce themselves to other students and discuss why they are interested in the course, what they hope to get out their studies and also to respond to News item sent out on behalf of tutor
• please note: All recorded lectures will involve illustrated slides

Week 1: What exactly is archaeology?

Purpose:

Overview of key themes, theories and the nature of archaeological research. Archaeologists seek to understand the past, examining material remains to explain how we came to live as we do in the present.

This session will explore:

• the history of archaeology – how did archaeology emerge as a discipline?
• what is the purpose of archaeology?
• what is the framework for studying these themes?

Learning outcomes:

• familiarised themselves with the history of archaeology
• learnt about the key benefits of archaeology to understanding the past
• developed the first step of the overarching framework
• note: resources will include clear explanations of technical terms (paradigms etc – these will be uploaded on the VLE

Week 2: Key Methods and Techniques (1)

Purpose:

The next two sessions explore the key methods and techniques for retrieving information, identifying objects, determining how old they are and the basics of interpretation. This session is about the key questions in archaeology – how do we know what we know? We will explore the basics of how to find information (hint: it’s not just by digging), how to look at things, what survives and how things survive (or not).

Learning outcomes:

• familiarised themselves with key field techniques
• continue building solid interpretive framework

Week 3: Key methods and techniques (2)

Purpose:

• how do we date things?
• what does time mean? 

Scientific dating, which gives us a chronological age, is fairly new in the history of archaeology. Prior to this, people used various methods to figure out what is older and more recent. In doing so, people had to face the question of what time means, and in the process questioned the antiquity of humankind.

Learning outcomes:

• developed an understanding of dating
• continue building solid interpretive framework

Week 4: Interpreting the Past (1)

Purpose:

• the next two sessions include a mix of lectures and activities designed to help you interpret the past
• the first session will provide a clear outline of how people have interpreted the past
• we will explore how ideas developed, their impact and their pros and cons
• this week you will be challenged to interpret a number of objects
• feedback will help you develop techniques for thinking about things, evaluating information and identifying what makes for a good argument

Learning outcomes:

• learnt about the key interpretive methods
• developed experience in constructing their own arguments

Week 5 - Interpreting the Past (2)

Purpose:

• This session examines two main themes: (a) the nature of historical archaeology. Is written evidence different from archaeological evidence? Are texts superior to material culture? How do we interpret things in historical archaeology? Do historians need archaeologists? And (b) how do we evaluate information? What makes an interpretation valid? We may roll our eyes at claims of ancient aliens and the like, but there is a darker side to these matters?

Learning outcomes:

• understood the basics of historical archaeology and evaluating information
• engaged with the different types of information offered by historical archaeology
• strengthened their interpretive skills

Week 6: what next?

• assessment of student learning
• assessment of student satisfaction
• encouragement of further study

This course is open to everyone, and you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject to attend.  

Our short courses are designed especially for adult learners who want to advance their personal or professional development. They are taught by tutors who are expert in both their subjects and in teaching students of all ages and experiences. 

Please note that all teaching is in English. You should have near-native command of the English language to get the maximum benefit from the course. 

Each week of an online course is roughly equivalent to 2-3 hours of classroom time. On top of this, participants should expect to spend roughly 2-3 hours of self-study time, for example, reading materials, although this will vary from person to person. 

While they have a specific start and end date and will follow a weekly schedule (for example, week 1 will cover topic A, week 2 will cover topic B), our tutor-led online courses are designed to be flexible and as such would normally not require participants to be online for a specific day of the week or time of the day (although some tutors may try to schedule times where participants can be online together for web seminars, which will be recorded so that those who are unable to be online at certain times are able to access material). 

Unless otherwise stated, all course material will be posted on the VLE so that they can be accessed at any time throughout the duration of the course and interaction with your tutor and fellow participants will take place through a variety of different ways which will allow for both synchronous and asynchronous learning (using discussion boards etc).

Fees 

The course fee includes access to the course on our VLE, personal feedback on your work from an expert tutor, a certificate of participation (if you complete work and take part in discussions), and access to the class resources for two years after your course finishes. 

Concessions 

For more information, please see our concessions information page. 

Alison Fordham Bursary

University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education is proud to offer the Alison Fordham bursary, which is awarded to students who wish to study on one of our short online courses via our VLE, reducing the fee paid by 50%. The bursary is limited to a single award for each set of online courses. 

Application criteria:  

• applicants should set out their personal learning motivations since priority will be given to those who are returning to learning after an extended break, or have not previously engaged with fully online learning, or are seeking to use the online short course as a bridge towards undergraduate award-bearing study
• applicants who can demonstrate financial need 

For more information, please see our bursaries information page.

A certificate of participation and a digital credential will be awarded to those who contribute constructively to weekly discussions, exercises and assignments for the duration of the course.