Introduction to Archaeology - obligatory lecture

obligatory courses

Classroom

The lecture shall present the methods and tasks of archeological investigation, both in the field and in the further study. Aimed at the beginners, or listeners with up-till-now limited experience with archaeology, it should, in a richly illustrated mode, and attractively, outline the variety of archaeological sources, and the procedures of their treatment. The diverse character of archaeology shall be stressed – as scientific activity, restoring-protective duty/duties, and as social/educative performance. Beside “in-the-room” lectures, trips and excursions to archaeological sites and museums are planned, with other forms of presenting the “Archaeology in Action”.

The lecture shall be organized on the framework of the following notions:

- archaeology in the field

- archaeology in the library

- archaeology in the archive

- archaeology in the society

Presenting different research agendas, it should develop keen interest for “archaeological facts”, and introduce their so very differentiated interpretations.

Main topics to be treated shall be as follows:

1. The definition of archaeology; a short history.

2. Archaeology as history and archaeology as anthropology; archaeological thought – from early evolutionism to postprocessual approaches.

3. The variety of archeology – as defined by subject of investigation, and by methods.

4. Basic definitions and concepts (artefacts, features, sites and their types; archaeological culture).

5. Classifications in archaeology – typologies and seriations.

6. Time in archaeology – periodisation, dating, chronology.

7. Archaeology in the field – location of sites, non-invasive investigation (geophysical methods, aerial photography, remote sensing), survey, measurement. Exploration and documentation of finds and features.

8. Basic methods of preservation (pottery, metals, organic materials) and storage of finds.

9. Site formation processes – deposition and post-deposition.

10.Archaeological stratigraphy – layers, levels, phases, sequences; Harris matrix.

11. Post-excavation study – catalogues, collections, publication.

12. Library querenda, citations; archival research (historical archaeology).

13. Auxiliaries to archaeology – humanities (history of art, ethnography, numismatics, epigraphy, metrology etc.)

14. Auxiliaries to archaeology – sciences (physical-chemical analyses, paleobotanics and archaeozoology; physical anthropology, etc.).

15. Scientific procedures (inductive, deductive; heuristics and hermeneutic; hypotheses and testing).

16. Basic legal regulations for archaeology, in Polish and international law.

17. Ethics of archaeology; protection of sites, archaeological heritage and historical landscape. “Archaeology and society” – popularization.

Selected reading:

Ashmore W., Sharer R.J., Discovering Our Past. A Brief Introduction to Archaeology, Mountain View (CA) – London – Toronto 2000 (3rd edition)

Bahn. P, Archaeology. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford 2012

Bahn P. (ed.), The Cambridge Illustrated History of Archaeology, Cambridge 1999

Bahn P., Renfrew C., Archaeology. Theories, Methods and Practice, London (3rd-7th edition, 2000-2016; 6/7th ed., as heavily revised and giving access to further resources – highly recommended)

Bahn P., Renfrew C. (eds.), Archaeology. The Key Concepts, London – New York 2005

Barker Ph., Techniques of Archaeological Excavations, London 1993–1997 (3rd edition, with subsequent printings)

Drewett P.L., Field Archaeology. An Introduction, London – New York 1999 (& subsequent reprints)

Gamble, C., Archaeology. The Basics, London – New York 2015 (3rd edition)

Grant J., Gorin S., Fleming N., The Archaeological Coursebook. An Introduction to Study Skills, Topics and Methods, London – New York 2002

Harris E., Principles of Archaeological Stratigraphy, London – New York 1997

Hodder I., Hudson S., Reading the Past. Current Approaches to Interpretation in Archeology, Cambridge 2003 Lech J., Between Captivity and Freedom. Polish Archaeology in the 20th Century, Warsaw 1999

Lech J., Between Captivity and Freedom. Polish Archaeology in the 20th Century, Warsaw 1999

Results of learning: basic knowledge of the scope and methods of archaeological investigation, as preparatory for further studies; theoretical preparation for practical training during surveys and excavations.

memorization of definitions, concepts and procedures. Exam (in writing) – ca 20 questions, partly choice test, partly requiring a short answer; simple calculations for archaeological surveying. Possibility of an oral exam – to be negotiated with the participants.