MA in Field Archaeology

Course director: Steve Roskams

Overview

The MA in Field Archaeology is a flexible course, devised to meet demand for professional training at home and abroad: essentially, we aim to produce the next generation of accomplished, aware project designers and managers that the fieldwork profession so desperately needs worldwide.

This course will give you a thorough knowledge of how, and why, archaeological fieldwork has developed over time and acquaint you with the major methodologies employed within modern fieldwork and what they mean for accomplished project design.

In addition, it will introduce you to the analysis of stratigraphic and spatial data, and to the potential of assemblage analyses for social interpretation.  This will help you to understand how research agendas, organisational factors and new technologies are changing ways in which field data is ordered and analysed, and expose you to the critical concepts deployed in the analysis, dissemination and archiving of archaeological field data.

Staff

  • Steve Ashby: is a medieval archaeologist with specialism in the archaeology of portable material culture and the use of animal products in craft and industry. He teaches artefactual aspects of the course
  • Helen Goodchild: Project and Fieldwork Officer, who teaches geophysical and topographical survey and the use of Geographical Information Systems, and has research interests in landscape archaeology
  • Cath Neal: joined the department as the Heslington East Fieldwork Officer following work as a Heritage Consultant and completing her PhD examining people/environment interaction on the Yorkshire Wolds from a geoarchaeological perspective. Her interests lie in methodological matters such as deposit modelling and environmental histories, plus community archaeology and wider public participation agendas
  • 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
  • Jim Symonds: has worked in archaeology since 1983 and, prior to joining the Department, was the Director of Archaeological Research & Consultancy at the University of Sheffield (ARCUS). He is now Teaching Fellow in Historical Archaeology for the York Archaeological Trust, consolidating links with YAT and providing insights into commercial and academic project design and management

In addition to the above, academic staff, our teaching makes use of members of the Archaeology Data Service and of Judith Winters, Editor of Internet Archaeology within the Department to discuss aspects of archiving, publication and other forms of dissemination, together with representatives of other organisations within York, for example at YAT and the City of York Council.

Facilities

There is a wide range of facilities for students undertaking an Archaeology Masters programme. These include:

  • Dedicated IT suite with a full range of software including generic and specialist archaeological packages and computing support from two highly experienced experimental officers
  • A comprehensive range of state-of-the-art field survey equipment which postgraduates can normally use for their project work (and can gain experience with via the skills modules we offer)
  • A wide range of lab facilities for archaeological analysis including environmental and artefact processing as well as the bioarchaeological facilities on campus
  • A well stocked library with access to electronic resources, and study areas both in the Kings Manor library and the library on campus
  • The Kings Manor includes a common room and refectory open to all staff and students, and WiFi is available across the Kings Manor

Structure

Structure

Over the autumn and spring terms you will take:

  • two core 20 credit modules
  • two option 20 credit modules
  • four 5 credit skills modules
  • one or two optional 10 credit placement modules

In the summer you will carry out research for your dissertation and give an Assessed Lecture on your dissertation topic.

Core modules

Recommended option modules

Recommended skills modules

Whilst we endeavour to give everyone their first choice on modules, please note that this cannot always be guaranteed. Please be aware that certain skills modules are required by particular programmes, and so may be more over-subscribed than others.  Please see the Full modules list for scheduling information on option and skills modules, as some run concurrently.

Work experience placement

Entry

You will need:

  • A good honours degree (upper second or first) or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution in archaeology or a related field
  • Mature students or those with less conventional qualifications but with relevant professional experience in this field will be considered
  • Candidates lacking sufficient previous experience will be required to spend at least three weeks prior to entry on either one of the Department's own training excavations or another approved project
  • Most applicants are interviewed, unless living or working overseas.

Apply now

First, check our How to apply page, which explains what information the Department needs from you.

Careers

When you complete the course, you will have:
  • developed an awareness of the organisational and legislative context within which fieldwork operates in the UK
  • gained a detailed knowledge of the varied techniques of site evaluation used today
  • become aware of the practicalities, and problems, of implementing archaeological projects and understood the implications of this for strategy and project design
  • a grasp of the processes of analysing stratigraphic, spatial, artefactual and palaeoecological material, the objectives of how this work, and how it is managed
  • surveyed the range of mechanisms for synthesising, archiving and disseminating the evidence generated by fieldwork
  • by the use of placements and field visits, developed your understanding of how the profession operates in "the real world"
  • developed your ability to gather and organise information and arguments in a critical and independent manner through writing essays and producing projects
  • undertaken a piece of independent research on a topic within field archaeology
  • developed your presentational skills through the delivery of seminar papers on a range of diverse topics
 
Field school 2006 trench in the wolds

I came to the MA in Field Archaeology as a mature student without a first degree in archaeology, but with a long-standing interest in the subject and a particular curiosity about the archaeology of the area in which I live, the Yorkshire Pennines. The course is highly focused and quite demanding - which is what I wanted! Particularly rewarding was the opportunity to use the training and skills immediately in the field.

Yvonne Luke