Course director: Steve Roskams
The MA in Field Archaeology
This is a flexible course, devised to meet demand at home and abroad for professional training at postgraduate level as recommended by the Institute of Field Archaeologists. It is designed to be suitable both for in-service training and for those wishing to enter the archaeological profession. The needs of individual candidates are met, as far as possible, by devising work programmes to suit them. The aim of the course is to build on existing expertise in archaeological fieldwork within York and so train the next generation of project directors. This involves delivering:
- A broad foundation in archaeological practice in the field
- Detailed understanding of fieldwork design, as practised by various field units and other organisations
- Applied experience in the analysis of stratigraphic, artefactual and ecofactual data sets generated by fieldwork
- Links to other departmental research strengths in palaeoecology, heritage studies and buildings archaeology
The Archaeology Department here has a long tradition in developing innovative approaches in the field, many staff members having significant ongoing research commitments in this sphere. They play a significant role in delivering the course, alongside external, invited speakers. Those of particular relevance include:
- Martin Carver: Director of the Sutton Hoo Research Project and Research Director of the Tarbat Discovery Programme, with interests in excavation methods and survey
- Kate Giles: the York Minster Archaeological Research Fellow, who specialises in the archaeology of buildings and is interested in encouraging the development of new techniques for recording and analysing the fabric of standing buildings
- Ben Gourley: the Department Experimental Officer, who teaches geophysical and topographical survey and aspects of computing, especially in relation to spatial analysis, and has research interests in classical Greece
- Harry Kenward: formerly head of the Environmental Archaeology Unit, an organisation pivotal to the development of environmental archaeology in Europe, and one of the foremost entomologist in the UK studying the use of insects in archaeological remains.
- Allan Hall: one of the UK's leading archaeobotanists in the UK and, like Harry, a founder member of the Environmental Archaeology Unit. He specialises in the use of macrofossil botanical remains to understand site formation processes and identify activities occurring on site.
- Terry O'Connor: has worked in zooarchaeology for about 30 years, principally in the historic period in UK and northern Europe. He continues to undertake practice-led research to enhance our interpretation of ancient bones, especially in understanding the formation of bone assemblages.
- Steve Roskams: who has worked in both professional and academic archaeology over 25 years and has particular interests in urban archaeology and stratigraphic analysis.
The MA is structured around two core modules involving the context and practice of gathering field archaeology data, and the analysis, interpretation and dissemination of that data. Students then choose from a wide range of optional modules that reflect the research interests of the staff within the Department, and which may be drawn from other masters programmes such as Buildings Archaeology, Archaeological Heritage Management or Historic Landscape Studies. The teaching is conducted in small groups, seminars and tutorials, giving each student the opportunity to develop within a supportive and friendly environment.
The City of York and the Yorkshire region are renowned for the richness and diversity of their archaeology. They are also home to a great variety of institutions and organisations concerned with curating, investigating, analysing and presenting the past in all its variety. The Department thus offers a marvellous environment for the teaching of archaeological work in the field.
Last updated by SPR; July 2007