Artefacts

ARC00042M

Module leader: Mark Edmonds

Aims

This module is designed as a basic introduction to the archaeological study of artefacts for students who have had little or no previous hands-on experience of such study. Combined with appropriate core modules from a student's degree programme, however, this module may provide the springboard for future specialisation in artefact-based research. Students will be introduced to some (but not all) of the main categories of material used in the past and to the principal analytical approaches used for each, as well as to the role of artefact studies in contemporary archaeology.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this module students should be able to:

  • Recognise basic distinctions between artefact-types in terms of material and modes of manufacture
  • Appreciate principles and methods of description and sorting used in archaeological analysis of artefacts
  • Appreciate ways in which artefacts have been harnessed in archaeological interpretation