ARCH06026 2013 ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY
Full Title
ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY
Transcript Title
ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY
Code
ARCH06026
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
ARCH - Archaeology
Department
ESCI - Environmental Science
Level
06 - NFQ Level 6
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
€
Start Term
2013 - Full Academic Year 2013-14
End Term
2019 - Full Academic Year 2019-20
Author(s)
Billy Fitzgerald, Fiona Beglane
Programme Membership
SG_SAPPL_H08 201300 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Archaeology
SG_SAPPL_B07 201700 Bachelor of Science in Applied Archaeology
SG_SAPPL_C06 201700 Higher Certificate in Science in Applied Archaeology
SG_SAPPL_H08 201700 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Archaeology
Description
This module introduces students to the basic principles of environmental archaeology.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
1.
Explain the basic principles on which environmental archaeology is based.
2.
Define the principal methods used in environmental archaeology and identify when these methods would be applicable.
3.
Demonstrate the practical procedures of sieving, flotation, microscopy, soil analysis and basic identification of microscopic and macroscopic plant and animal remains.
4.
Analyse, evaluate and draw conclusions from data obtained in the laboratory and/or data presented in problem-solving exercises.
5.
Describe case studies of the application of environmental techniques in interpreting archaeological sites and landscapes.
6.
Organise and integrate theoretical and practical concepts presented into an overall view of environmental archaeology and explain the major applications in interpreting archaeological sites and landscapes.
7.
Effectively communicate scientific principles to a peer audience.
Module Assessment Strategies
50% of the assessment will be based on practical laboratory skills and fieldwork. This will ensure relevance to the world of archaeological consulting and research. The exam is designed to test the ability of the student to retain and to express the information gained during the course, while continuous assessment will provide ongoing opportunities to demonstrate the learning outcomes.
Module Dependencies
Prerequisites
None
Co-requisites
None
Incompatibles
None
Indicative Syllabus
Sources of environmental evidence - including pollen, wood, seeds, beetles, molluscs, bones, soils, tephra and charcoal
Ecology and ecosystems
Sampling techniques in environmental archaeology
Laboratory techniques for sample processing, identification and analysis
Measuring timescales
Human use of natural resources
Naming species (Taxonomy)
Environmental history of Ireland from the Ice Age to the modern day
Native and introduced species in Ireland
Future climate and environmental change
Archaeological sites as habitats for plants and animals
The effect of time, plants, animals and soil conditions on the preservation of archaeological evidence (Taphonomy)
Fieldtrip to sites relating to the study of environmental archaeology
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework & Continuous Assessment
70 %
End of Semester / Year Formal Exam
30 %
Coursework Assessment
| Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Continuous Assessment Lab practical | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 50 % | OnGoing | 2,3,4,6,7 |
| 2 | Continuous Assessment | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 20 % | OnGoing | 1,2,4,5,6,7 |
End of Semester / Year Assessment
| Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Final Exam Written exam | Final Exam | UNKNOWN | 30 % | End of Term | 1,4,5,7 |
Full Time Mode Workload
| Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Science Laboratory | Lecture - Archaeology lab | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
| Laboratory Practical | Science Laboratory | Archaeology Lab | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
| Independent Learning | UNKNOWN | Self study | 3 | Weekly | 3.00 |
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 4.00 Hours
Module Resources
Non ISBN Literary Resources
Dincauze, D.F. (2000) Environmental Archaeology: Principles And Practice Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
Evans J and O'Connor T. (1999) Environmental Archaeology Principles and Methods. Stroud, Sutton
Lowe J.J. and Walker MJC (1997) Reconstructing Quaternary Environments. Harlow, Prentice-Hall
Murphy, E.M. and Whitehouse, N.J. (2007). Environmental Archaeology in Ireland. Oxford, Oxbow
Mitchell, F. and Ryan, M. (1998). Reading the Irish Landscape. Dublin, Townhouse
Roberts, N. (2009) The Holocene: An Environmental History. Oxford, Blackwell
Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. (2012) Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practise. London, Thames and Hudson
Other Resources
None
Additional Information
Timetable as a 4 hour block in the archaeology lab (theory and practical) to maximise interactive mode of delivery of theory and practical and allow access to reference and replica materials.