Module description 

Fieldwork is a key research tool in archaeology and develops many skills that have extensive professional applications. Through your IOA/UCL-supported fieldwork you will gain knowledge of methods and the techniques that may be applied in archaeological, and many non-archaeological, contexts and situations. Your year has had to augment more traditional fieldwork skills with digital and archival projects, due to the Covid-19 situation. The emphasis of this module is on gaining competence, or on developing upon existing competence, in the broad range of techniques involved in research practice. During your fieldwork and digital projects, you will variously learn and undertake: surface exploration and excavation; environmental sampling techniques; recording; post excavation processing; museum work; archival work; study trips; and outreach participation.

Module Aims 

This course aims are to:-

• Introduce students to skills essential for the practice of field archaeology and give them practical training in these skills.

• Introduce students to aspects of field archaeology and digital projects at an intellectually demanding level.

• Cultivate the practice of maintaining Fieldwork Notebooks and Reflective Logs.

• Generate critical evaluation of the roles and outcomes of practical archaeological work.

• Guide students in the production of a personal evaluation of performance in their work experience, as might be required for a job application or interview.

Module Objectives 

The course will provide students with the opportunities to:-

• Gain knowledge of the implementation of a project design.

• Understand the process of setting up and executing a field project or field-related project.

• Gain experience in a range of excavation and practical study techniques.

• Gain experience of post excavation processing/archival work/presentation work.

• Develop an awareness of current practices in sampling and recording and undertake various forms of sampling, understand the rationale behind these strategies.

• Undertake recording to a professional standard.

• Gain knowledge of health and safety considerations in a practical work environment.

• Perform assigned tasks as part of a team.

• Identify problems and questions and to participate effectively in discussions.

• Undertake the analysis of factual information.

• With guidance, undertake tasks independently.

• Demonstrate visual skills in recognising and describing field remains and archived findings.

Learning Outcomes 

(a) Knowledge and understanding of how to locate; recover; record; and present archaeological field data; to assess archaeological field data critically; and to solve problems of conflicting field methods and data presentation.

(b) To be able to be precise and cautious in the assessment of evidence, and to understand through practice what archaeological field data can and cannot tell us.

(c) To be able to question interpretations of field data, however authoritative, and be able to reassess evidence for yourself.

(d) To have achieved a level of competence in core archaeological fieldwork practical skills of identification; surveying; recording; excavation; sampling; presentation of field data; archiving field data; and presenting field data through outreach.

(e) To be able to appreciate the importance of safety procedures in the field.

(f) To have achieved a level of competence in a range of transferable skills including being able to apply an understanding of relevant archaeological concepts and methods in non-archaeological situations.

(g) To be able to work as part of a team.

(h) To have produced a personal portfolio, based on fieldwork experience that demonstrates acquired skills; skills of evaluation; and an understanding of the academic context and value of the project.