Archaeology

Core modules:

Reinventing Archaeology

This course will seek to understand how the structure of the modern practice of archaeology has come about and how changes in working methods and theoretical perspective may reconfigure the discipline. Reference will be made to the debates in method and theory and the relationships among certain specialisms. Students will develop, and to be able to express, their understanding of the discipline and the current and future position of their own ambitions.

15 credits

Research Design: Planning, Execution and Presentation

This module provides students with the advanced understanding they need to design an effective research project that addresses a question relevant to current debate in archaeology, and in particular to plan a successful MA/MSc dissertation. It comprises six group seminar sessions and three seminars in which students from different courses are streamed to be taught and guided on subject-specific material by experts in the field. The module culminates in a research day during which students present their dissertation plans to their peers and staff assessors. Assessment is in two parts: a succinct Powerpoint presentation of the dissertation proposal and outline and a written dissertation outline and proposal.

Students wishing to undertake a work placement will also find this module useful for planning their placement aims and objectives.



15 credits

Work Placement

The placement scheme is designed to allow students to work alongside practitioners 'in the field', and to get consolidated hands on experience in a subject/technique of particular interest to them. Placements can be in any sphere of professional practice in archaeology or management of the historic environment. Students will be expected to spend a minimum of eight weeks on the placement. The assessment will have two elements: a short account of the placement, and a written project report resulting from an aspect of the work undertaken.

60 credits

Dissertation

This module requires students to plan, execute and write up an original research project. This dissertation project is chosen with, and approved by, the designated supervisor, who may or may not be the programme director. Dissertation topics must be based on original research and on the students' own ideas: they must be worthwhile, affordable, manageable within time limits, be capable of supervision within the Department and related to the subject matter on the appropriate Masters.

60 credits

Core modules:

Reinventing Archaeology

This course will seek to understand how the structure of the modern practice of archaeology has come about and how changes in working methods and theoretical perspective may reconfigure the discipline. Reference will be made to the debates in method and theory and the relationships among certain specialisms. Students will develop, and to be able to express, their understanding of the discipline and the current and future position of their own ambitions.

15 credits

Research Design: Planning, Execution and Presentation

This module provides students with the advanced understanding they need to design an effective research project that addresses a question relevant to current debate in archaeology, and in particular to plan a successful MA/MSc dissertation. It comprises six group seminar sessions and three seminars in which students from different courses are streamed to be taught and guided on subject-specific material by experts in the field. The module culminates in a research day during which students present their dissertation plans to their peers and staff assessors. Assessment is in two parts: a succinct Powerpoint presentation of the dissertation proposal and outline and a written dissertation outline and proposal.

Students wishing to undertake a work placement will also find this module useful for planning their placement aims and objectives.



15 credits

Mediterranean Landscapes

This module, based on lectures and seminars, explores the interaction between human societies and physical landscapes in the Mediterranean region through time. It covers how we investigate change and continuity in physical and cultural landscapes, how Mediterranean landscapes have been exploited and understood in various different ways by humans throughout history and how the particular forms of Mediterranean landscapes that exist today have come into being.The aim of this module is to explore the interaction between human societies and physical landscapes in the Mediterranean region through time. It covers how we investigate change and continuity in landscapes, how Mediterranean landscapes have been exploited and understood in various different ways by humans throughout history and how the particular forms of Mediterranean landscapes that exist today have come into being. The objective is for students to be able to understand how landscapes are studied and critically to evaluate archaeological reconstructions of human-landscape interactions through time.

15 credits

Archaeology in the Classical Mediterranean

Investigates the archaeology of the Classical Mediterranean world, with a focus on interrogating the development of the discipline and approaches (first half) and then using this background to explore the themes of colonisation and identity (second half). Examples will be drawn from European societies from the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age in the Greek world through the fall of the Roman empire, drawing on material from the Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions.

15 credits

Roman Italy and its Hinterland

Provides you with a detailed knowledge of the archaeology of the Roman Empire, from the city of Rome to settlements in Italy and other regions of Europe. This module consists of two elements:-

1) A series of 2-hour lectures (shared with UG module Rome: Capital, Hinterland and Periphery) that: trace the creation and development of Rome as cosmopolis, as well as the transformation of towns in Italy, the Mediterranean and Europe in emulation of Rome; explore and discuss the profound changes in society from Republic to Empire, the political and economic culture of the Empire, and the visual and material expression of imperial ideology; examine the dialogue between the living and the dead and its cultural and social implications for Rome.

2) A series of MA-only seminars that explore in detail some of the key research themes of the period.

15 credits

Dissertation

This module requires students to plan, execute and write up an original research project. This dissertation project is chosen with, and approved by, the designated supervisor, who may or may not be the programme director. Dissertation topics must be based on original research and on the students' own ideas: they must be worthwhile, affordable, manageable within time limits, be capable of supervision within the Department and related to the subject matter on the appropriate Masters.

60 credits

GIS for Archaeologists

Introduce the principles, methods and data structures employed in the analysis and reconstruction of archaeological landscapes using spatial technologies. Provide hands-on training in the application of ArcGIS in archaeological research and professional practice. Enable students to develop skills in interpretation and problem-solving using GIS. Develop students' critical understanding of how spatial technologies are used in archaeological research.

15 credits

Heritage, History and Identity

This module highlights the diversity of cultural heritage, ranging from cultural and 'natural' landscapes, through monuments to music, dress, cuisine, 'traditional' crafts, and language and dialect. It explores the role of these various forms of heritage in shaping local, regional and national identity; the extent to which they reflect or misrepresent local, regional and national history; the legal and ethical issues surrounding conservation and preservation of heritage; and how study of 'traditional' lifeways may contribute to understanding of history.

15 credits

Society and Culture in the Later Middle Ages

This module provides an introduction of the archaeology of later medieval Europe(c. AD 1100-1500), focusing on the regions of north-western Europe, but occasionally drawing on material from the lands around the Mediterranean. It explores many of the important theoretical issues relevant to early medieval archaeology, and also a range of problem-solving strategies within the discipline. The module consists of two elements: a series of lectures introducing important themes and debates within the medieval archaeology, and series of seminars that consider specific case-studies and key sites.

15 credits

Funerary Archaeology

This module provides an advanced level exploration of human responses to death in societies around the world from the earliest burials of our hominin ancestors to the present day. Delivered through a series of chronologically-themed lectures and thematic seminars, case studies focus on the nature and interpretation of the burial record, and survey the methods of analysis, theoretical underpinnings and material residues of funerary ritual helping the student to develop a broad knowledge of world-wide burial rites and a nuanced understanding of the discipline of funerary archaeology.

15 credits

Landscapes in archaeology: methods & perspectives

This unit introduces the ways in which researchers have thought about landscape in archaeology and situates these perspectives within the methods that are commonplace in landscape research. Through a mix of lectures, seminars and practicals we will explore a variety of themes that together reflect the broad range of contemporary issues in landscape studies. These approaches will be applied through an analysis of a specific landscape using skills in observational survey, cartographic analysis, archival research and aerial photography gained during the practical classes. The emphasis is upon grasping both the methods and their application to specific archaeological questions.

15 credits

Investigating ancient environments

This module enhances postgraduate students' understanding of the ways in which archaeologists reconstruct past environments. Through a combination of different learning experiences (lectures, student-led seminars, practical classes and directed independent study) students will explore a variety of contemporary and ancient environments as well as enhance their understanding of the methods and professional standards of environmental reconstruction. Seminars and assessments will encourage students to apply the concepts and methods introduced in the module to their specific areas of interest. The module will enable students from different postgraduate degree programmes to develop an understanding of environmental analysis that is relevant to their own research interests.This module introduces the ways in which archaeologists reconstruct past environments. Through a combination of different learning experiences (lectures, student-led seminars, practical classes and directed independent study) students will explore a variety of contemporary and ancient environments as well as enhance their understanding of the methods and professional standards of environmental reconstruction. Seminars and assessments will encourage students to apply the concepts and methods introduced in the module to their specific areas of interest. Emphasis is upon the most common analytical techniques. The intent is to provide a working knowledge of many techniques, and awareness of others, which require a mor

15 credits

Archaeobotany

This module comprises laboratory classes involving practical handling of archaeobotanical material as well as student-led seminars reviewing key methodological debates in archaeobotany and exploring the implications of similar debates in archaeozoology. It delivers practical skills in identification, recording, analysis and interpretation of archaeobotanical remains; explores sampling strategies and recovery techniques; considers the implications of taphonomy and different scales of analysis; evaluates such theoretical issues as analogy and uniformitarianism; emphasising the reconstruction of crop processing and the integration of animal and plant exploitation. The module is assessed by an extended essay and a problem-solving exercise.

15 credits

Archaeozoology

Zooarchaeology (or Archaeozoology) is the study of past human interaction with animals through the analysis of their material remains. This module provides a practical introduction to the identification, analysis and interpretation of animal bones from archaeological sites. Practical skills are developed through group laboratory work, concentrating on mammals but also touching on other classes of vertebrates. Methodological and theoretical issues in archaeological interpretation are discussed in the classes in combination with the hands-on work. The course culminates in a project report, which reconstructs animal exploitation through the analysis of ageing and biometrical data.

15 credits

Human Osteology

In this module the students are introduced to the human skeleton, both adult and immature, and comparative primate skeletons. They are provided with in depth information on how to recognise individual bones, how to side elements by being familiar with all pertinent landmarks. They will be introduced to the size and shape variation present in the skeleton of Homo sapiens, including variations due to sex, ethnic affinity, and temporal changes.

15 credits

Church, Life, and Law in the Central Middle Ages

In the central Middle Ages, the papacy re-emerged as a power in Europe at the same time as a monk-bishop in Italy produced a new collection of texts relating to church law. Despite a series of charismatic but divisive popes, the papacy's zenith would not have been reached had it not been for that collection, Gratian's Decretum, which provoked a new, vibrant, and creative era in the Latin Church and which lingered for centuries: used wherever Latin Christianity travelled, it was revised, reorganised, and expanded over the years and only replaced in 1917. This module introduces you to the key sources and concepts that underpinned medieval canon law, both the Decretum and its predecessors and successors, and their use - and abuse - by lawyers, popes, kings, clerics, and scholars during the period. Covering topics from marriage to politics, and using contemporary cases, treatises and manuscripts, this module asks how church law established itself, developed, and was employed at a time of change and 'Reform', and looks to the influence that that law exerted over Christian Europe.

15 credits

Wikipedia and History

Wikipedia is today probably the world's chief source of historical knowledge. Every day, its pages on history are read by many thousands of people. Yet professional historians tend to avoid engaging with it. This course seeks to change that. As well as discussing critical perspectives on Wikipedia, students will receive practical training in creating or editing a page on a historical topic. They will then apply their studies in a hands-on way to improving the encyclopedia's historical coverage, and reflect on the kind of historical knowledge of the period it promotes and disseminates.

15 credits

Enhanced Languages Project

This unit aims to enable MA students taking a foreign language module with the Languages-for-All programme to engage further with their independent learning of the language in relation to their Postgraduate studies. Designing, implementing, and assessing personal strategies to become more effective independent learners, students will choose and explore specific aspects of the language from a linguistic and a sociolinguistic perspectives. Most of the work will be carried out independently but two seminars will introduce the theoretical and practical framework for the completion of a Project Portfolio and provide a forum for the discussion of appropriate research options. https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mltc/lfa/courses/enhanced_languages

5 credits

Applied Bioarchaeological Science

This course acquaints the student with a number of scientific analytical techniques and methods which are pertinent to the interpretation of key questions in bioarchaeology. These include histology and microscopic, chemical and isotopic techniques, ancient DNA analysis, lipid analysis and proteomics. It provides a theoretical introduction as well as some practical experience in sample preparation methodologies, data collection and analysis. The potential and limitations of methods are discussed through specific case studies.

15 credits

Landscape Survey Project

This module offers advanced field and lab training in aerial mapping, measured and geophysical survey, including the use of total station and GPS instruments. The module is taught through a seven-day field course on a 'live' research project (in previous years this was residential and based in North Wales).

30 credits

Later Neolithic & Bronze Age Britain & Ireland

The module introduces the prehistory of Britain during the Neolithic and Bronze Age - roughly 4000-750 BC. This period witnessed dramatic and lasting changes in the constitution of society, the formation of the landscape, and the meanings of material culture. These changes included the adoption of agriculture, the construction of major ceremonial monuments such as Stonehenge, the flourishing and decline of novel burial rites, the development of metallurgy, and the widespread enclosure of the countryside into field systems. Through lectures and small-group activities and discussion, we will consider the major themes, sites and artefacts that have dominated archaeological narratives of the period. Along the way we will review many of the less well-known regions and assemblages, and debate new ways of interpreting social change. The module includes a day-long fieldtrip to visit key later prehistoric landscapes in our region.

15 credits

Quantitative methods in anthropology and archaeology

This module introduces learners to current research methods for the analysis of archaeological and anthropological data using advanded statistical and computational methods. The module includes lectures and practical classes which explore a series of examples of the application of statistics and numerical methods to quantitative problems in the archaeological sciences including biological anthropology, palaeoanthropology and environmental archaeology.

15 credits

Human Evolution: Theory and Practice in Research

This seminar module will present both historical and current issues in the study of human evolution, including new hominid fossil descriptions, debates over interpretations and explanatory models of primate and hominid palaeobiology, theoretical and philosophical topics in evolution, and practical and technological advances in early hominid fossil and archaeological interpretation. In some weeks, students will be required to prepare materials to lead the seminars, and occasional group work exercises will be introduced. The seminar topics will change from year to year to reflect new research, staff projects, guest lecturer availability, and student interests.

15 credits

Digital Cultural Heritage: Theory and Practice

This module examines the theoretical and methodological advances in Digital Cultural Heritage and their
broader implications in fields concerned with the interpretation and presentation of the past. We will draw on
theoretical readings as well as analyse the potential benefits and drawbacks of certain digital and online
approaches. Topics include: principles and theories underlying Digital Cultural Heritage, understanding
processes of creating digital surrogates, establishing principles for user experience, and exploring digital
narratives for public dissemination. A major component of this module will be a semester-long project that will
require the development of a proposal for a digital cultural heritage project.

15 credits

Heritage, Place and Community

The aim of this module is to introduce the theory and practice of heritage, conservation and public archaeology. The module will encourage debate on issues that affect how we define and apply the term 'heritage'. It also offers an opportunity to focus on the historic 'value' of a site or landscape, with an evaluation of how it is currently managed, and strategies for its future conservation and presentation.

15 credits

Evolutionary Anatomy

This module incorporates lectures and practical demonstration (laboratory) sessions to explore the application of anatomical principles to the comparison and interpretation of the hominid and primate fossil record. The schedule is co-ordinated with that of AAP683, and incorporates additional material in lab sessions to understand the functional and comparative anatomy of modern and extinct hominoid primates. Demonstrations apply the knowledge of musculoskeletal and comparative anatomy to interpretation of hominid fossil specimens (casts and published information), and to understand the evolutionary adaptations of the hominid lineage.

15 credits

The Dawn of Modernity in the Late Middle Ages

This module seeks to reassess the picture of the late Middle Ages as an age of crisis and decay to be replaced by the Renaissance and modernity. It aims to show how groups of innovative people invented a new world characterised by international capitalism, man-centred subjectivity and claims of communal participation, and why their new world(s) became the dominant framework of European history for the centuries to follow. The first modern European colonies in the near Atlantic Ocean were both a laboratory for, and a crucial step to, the successful establishment of a new world within and without Europe.

15 credits

Enhanced Languages Project

This unit aims to enable MA students taking a foreign language module with the Languages-for-All programme to engage further with their independent learning of the language in relation to their Postgraduate studies. Designing, implementing, and assessing personal strategies to become more effective independent learners, students will choose and explore specific aspects of the language from a linguistic and a sociolinguistic perspectives. Most of the work will be carried out independently but two seminars will introduce the theoretical and practical framework for the completion of a Project Portfolio and provide a forum for the discussion of appropriate research options. https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mltc/lfa/courses/enhanced_languages

5 credits