An introduction to the archaeological evidence for Anglo-Saxon England, the Celtic West and Scotland between the 5th and 11th centuries AD.  This module examines the archaeological evidence for Anglo-Saxon settlement and follows the development of post-Roman archaeology in upland Britain to the west and north. The process of Anglo-Saxon conversion to Christianity, church and monastic archaeology, the development of trading and manufacturing settlements and later of defended towns, the establishment of a fixed frontier with the Welsh kingdoms, the impact of the Vikings on Britain, the development of nucleated villages, manors and parishes are all major themes. Particular attention will be given to art styles in a variety of media.

Short description 

This module covers the contribution of archaeology and related disciplines to the study and understanding of the British Isles from c. AD 400 to c. AD 1100. It examines developments in the settlement and burial record in a landscape context and explores major themes such as the development of early states, the nature of religious change, the impact of conquest and the emergence of towns.

Module aims 

To introduce students to the principal social developments in Britain from the end of the Roman period until shortly after the Norman conquest.
	Discuss the character and significance of a range of important archaeological sites and artefacts for the study of early medieval Britain.
	Evaluate the geographical and chronological variability of sources (archaeology, written sources and place-names) for Britain between the fifth and eleventh centuries AD.
	Identify the key theoretical approaches to the archaeology of early medieval Britain, and consider how archaeology has extended our perception of the period AD 400–1100.
Learning Outcomes 

On successful completion of the course students should be able to demonstrate:

Nnowledge of the nature, extent and limitations of the archaeological evidence for the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods in Britain;
	recognition and understanding of the various approaches used to reconstruct AngloSaxon and Viking society, and the problems of interpreting the evidence;
	An appreciation of the relationship of other disciplines to the period and their importance in assessing and interpreting the evidence;
	 an understanding of, and ability to evaluate, the range of current archaeological methods and techniques used for recovering and analysing evidence for early medieval Britain.
	Presenting information and ideas clearly in written form