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The Archaeology of York's Historic Buildings - CED00144C

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  • Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will study York’s rich inheritance of historic buildings constructed between the tenth century and the early twentieth, many of which remain inhabited and in use within the modern cityscape, how they were built and lived in and how they have subsequently been altered and adapted. It will discuss the techniques of archaeological investigation of historic buildings, and how these complement the approaches of architectural history and the study of documentary sources and pictorial evidence. It is anticipates that two of the weekly sessions will take place ‘in the field’, visiting and analysing some of the numerous historic buildings in central York.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

  • To introduce students to the way in which archaeologists study the remains of historic buildings
  • To engage students with different sources of architectural and archival data
  • To develop a critical understanding of the ways in which historic building types can be analysed and interpreted

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Explain some of the methods used by archaeologists to study architecture
  • Describe some of the characteristics of buildings, and the archaeological data they generate
  • Explore the buildings history of some of York’s standing buildings.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.

The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.

Indicative reading

  • Arnold D 2002 Reading architectural history, London: Routledge
  • Arnold D 2009 Rethinking architectural historiography, London: Routledge
  • Brittain-Catlin T (2007) How to Read a Building, London Harper Collins
  • Davidson-Cragoe C (2008) How to read buildings; a crash course in Architecture, London: The Herbert Press
  • English Heritage, 2006 Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/understanding-historic-buildings/ 
  • Hall L (2007) Period Houses: Fixtures and Fittings 1300-1900, Newbury: Countryside Books
  • Letellier R 2011 Recording, documentation, and information management for the conservation of heritage places, Guiding Principles and Illustrated examples, 2 vols, Shaftesbury: Donhead Publishing Ltd.
  • Lever J and Harris J (1993) Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture 800-1914, London; Boston: Faber and Faber 
  • Malm G 2001 Archaeology and Buildings, BAR Int. Ser. 930
  • Morriss R K 2000 The Archaeology of Buildings, Stroud: Tempus
  • Pearson S and Meeson B (2001) Vernacular Buildings in a Changing World: Understanding, Recording and Conservation
  • Rice M (2009) Rice’s Architectural Primer, London: Faber and Faber  
  • Summerson J (1980) The Classical Language of Architecture, London: Thames and Hudson
  • Swallow P, Dallas R, Jackson A and Watt, D 2004 Measurement and Recording of Historic Buildings, London: Donhead
  • Wood J (1994) Buildings Archaeology: Applications in Practice, Oxford: Oxbow Books

York

  • Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) (1981) An inventory of the historical monuments in the city of York. Vol. 5 The Central Area, London: HMSO
  • Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) (1975) An inventory of the historical monuments in the city of York. Vol. 4 Outside the city walls, east of the Ouse, London: HMSO
  • Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) (1972) An inventory of the historical monuments in the city of York. Vol. 3 South-west of the Ouse, London: HMSO
  • Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) (1972) An inventory of the historical monuments in the city of York. Vol. 2 The Defences, London: HMSO
  • Wilson B and Mee F  1998 The Medieval Parish Churches of York: The Pictorial Evidence, Archaeology of York Suppl. Series
  • Wilson B and Mee F  2005 The City Walls and Castles of York: The Pictorial Evidence, Archaeology of York Suppl. Series
  • Wilson B and Mee F  200 'The Fairest Arch in England' Old Ouse Bridge, York, and its Buildings: The Pictorial Evidence, Archaeology of York Suppl. Series
  • Wilson B and Mee F  2009 ‘St Mary's Abbey and The King's Manor’, York: The Pictorial Evidence, Archaeology of York Suppl. Series


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.