Module ARCH3551: PALAEOETHNOBOTANY: PLANTS AND HUMAN SOCIETIES

Department: Archaeology

ARCH3551: PALAEOETHNOBOTANY: PLANTS AND HUMAN SOCIETIES

Tied To

• CFG0: Natural Sciences
• F400: Archaeology
• F402: Archaeology
• LF64: Anthropology and Archaeology
• LMV0: Combined Honours in Social Sciences
• VF14: Ancient History and Archaeology

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• This constitutes one of a group of modules designed to provide students with a sound knowledge of core professional techniques related to the recording and analysis of classes of primary archaeological materials, and thus develop skills required for their analysis and interpretation. It aims to provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the identification, recording, analysis and interpretation of botanical remains from archaeological sites.

Content

• This module deals with the identification, recording and analysis of plant remains (fruits, seeds and wood) from archaeological sites. Laboratory practicals and workshops, will cover in detail 1) the identification of the main cereal taxa, 2) the identification of the main classes of weeds and other seed types commonly found on north west European archaeological sites, 3) the identification of wood and charcoal 4) data collection, analysis and presentation using appropriate computer software, 5) workshops will serve to explore and critically evaluate a series of published case studies (using archaeological examples).

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module the student will have: 1) developed a sound knowledge of the types of plant material most commonly recorded in North-West Europe and how these remains are identified. 2) gained a broad understanding of the main techniques of analysis and interpretation, and of the potential and limitations palaeobotanical data 3) developed appropriate laboratory skills 4) gained direct practical experience in a field of importance to professional practice 5) developed communication and presentation skills through preparation of a portfolio of written material.

• Ability to identify anmal and human plant remains from archaeological sites
• Knowledge of analytical techniques including identification of weeds, seeds, wood and charcoal

• Use of computer software
• Independent study
• Research
• Problem solving

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is taught mainly through a series of practical sessions and workshops with associated lectures detailing more theoretical aspects and case studies. It is designed primarily to provide students with a solid grounding in the principles and practices of archaeobotany and to facilitate the development of laboratory, analytical and presentational skills, through systematic identification, recording and statistical treatment of botanical material and data. Methods of assessment are, therefore, also principally practical in nature, and are directly linked to the course structure and the learning outcomes. They include a seed identification test, a data analytical exercise and the production of a laboratory notebook. A single essay (circa. 3,000 words) will address one less usual aspect of botanical remain.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Keeping of laboratory notebook to be handed in for comment by the end of Michaelmas Term.