Unit rationale, description and aim

The retrieval, recording, analysis and evaluation of evidence from material cultures is central to the work of archaeologists, heritage consultants, archivists and museum curators. Understanding the theory and principles of the discipline is necessary for fully engaging with actual fieldwork and professional practice.

This unit covers the evolution of the discipline of Archaeology, its interdisciplinary approach, types of archaeological evidence, methods of surveying and excavation, laboratory methods, dating and other scientific analyses, conservation and archiving and the ethics of archaeological practice including the issue of fakes and forgeries. It provides an awareness of international perspectives within the discipline and an appreciation of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives relevant to today’s cultural context. The aims of this unit are to provide the theoretical background necessary to participate in a modern archaeological excavation and the skills required to understand and evaluate archaeological evidence.

2026 10

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.

Prerequisites

Nil

Incompatible

ARCH200 - Archaeological Evidence and Practice

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Explain key concepts, principles, and developments...

Learning Outcome 01

Explain key concepts, principles, and developments at the foundation of the discipline of archaeology
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC9, GC11

Evaluate different procedures for dating archaeolo...

Learning Outcome 02

Evaluate different procedures for dating archaeological remains.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC7, GC11

Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in order t...

Learning Outcome 03

Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in order to analyse and evaluate the production and interpretation, of archaeological data.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC7, GC8, GC11, GC12

Evaluate issues of ethics, heritage and social rel...

Learning Outcome 04

Evaluate issues of ethics, heritage and social relevance in current archaeological practice.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC5, GC6, GC7, GC11, GC12

Content

Topics will include:

  • An introduction to the discipline of archaeology, its development, concepts and theories and relationship to historical inquiry.
  • An overview of scientific methods used in archaeology.
  • Examination of the ethics of archaeological practice.
  • An awareness of Indigenous perspectives.
  • Understanding of what happens on an archaeological excavation, and how to evaluate evidence.
  • Conservation and archiving of artefacts.

Assessment strategy and rationale

In order to pass this unit, students are required to attempt all assessment tasks and achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher. The assessment tasks for this unit are designed to progressively demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes.

Task 1 requires students to briefly define key terms and concepts upon which the theory and practice of archaeology and heritage are based. This task is designed to test knowledge of the foundational ideas of archaeology as a discipline.

Task 2 invites the student to critically evaluate the usefulness of different ways of dating physical and organic remains. This is to be demonstrated by comparing and evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of two methods used by archaeologists to date remains (for either relative and absolute dating).

Task 3 asks the student to research, analyse, and evaluate the the archaeological research, conservation/management activities, and ethical/social issues of an archaeological or heritage project. 

Overview of assessments

Assessment Task 1: Core knowledge task (Open) Re...

Assessment Task 1: Core knowledge task (Open)

Requires students to define key terms, concepts and principles upon which the theory and practice of archaeology and heritage are based.

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC9, GC11, GC12

Assessment Task 2: Critical analysis Requires st...

Assessment Task 2: Critical analysis

Requires students to compare and critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of dating physical and organic remains.

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO2, LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC7, GC8, GC11, GC12

Assessment Task 3: Major research task (Open) Re...

Assessment Task 3: Major research task (Open)

Requires students to analyse and evaluate the archaeological research, conservation/management activities, and ethical/social issues of an archaeological or heritage project. Students will complete the project in the mode specified which may include answering questions about their research. 

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC11, GC12

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

The unit is offered fully online scheduled . Students will acquire broad theoretical knowledge about the discipline of archaeology through lectures and tutorials, through object-based learning, archaeological and other records and research. Students will be asked to critically reflect upon and analyse the key concepts building the foundations for work in the field and related disciplines such as heritage and museums.

Students will be recognised as adult learners who engage best when seeing that the learning is relevant and they are given the opportunity to be responsible for their own discovery and learning. This is vital for an archaeologist, as is working in a team, which is why collaborative and peer learning is emphasised. Active participation in this unit is essential. Learning is designed to be an engaging and supportive experience, which will help to develop the capacity to synthesis knowledge and communicate it effectively.

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Aitken, M.J. 1990. Science-based Dating in Archaeology. London: Longman.

Cobb, H., Greene, K., and Moore, T. 2023. Archaeology: An Introduction. 6th ed, Routledge, Abingdon.

Hodder, I. 1999. The Archaeological Process: An introduction. Blackwell, Maiden, Massachusetts.

Kielt Costello, S. and Lepiski, S. (ed.) 2024. Ethics in Archaeological Practice. ASOR, Alexandria.

Kipfer, B. A. 2023. The Archaeologist's Fieldwork Guide. 2nd ed, Wiley Blackwell, Hoboken.

Layton, R. (ed.) 1989. Who Needs the Past? Indigenous values and archaeology. Routledge, London.

Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. 2020. Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice. 8th ed., Thames and Hudson, London.

Scarre, C. (ed.) 2009., The human past: World prehistory and the development of human societies. 2nd ed., Thames and Hudson, London.

Smith, C. (ed.) 2014. Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology. Springer, New York.

Trigger, B.G. 2006. A history of archaeological thought. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge.

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