Archaeology for engineers

Learning objectives

Students are introduced to the field of archaeology and may use this knowledge when they work in interdisciplinary heritage projects. By the end of the course students:

  • Can define main chronological periods.
  • Can define major ancient social and technological developments linked to the archaeological time line.
  • Can name main material categories.
  • Are capable of selecting the appropriate analytical method for the study of the main  material categories.
  • Are capable of executing a small literature review on archaeological methods.
  • Are aware that heritage perception differs between stakeholders.

Can design a plan of action for the study of archaeological objects.

Contents

Lecture 1 (2.5 hours): People of the past, heritage today

  • What is archaeology and what do archaeologists want to know?
  • Dating
  • Chronology and big trends
  • Societies and big trends
  • Who owns the past?

Lecture 2 (2.5 hours): How do we study the past

  • Excavation and sites
  • Objects
  • People, flora and fauna
  • Built environment

Practical 1 (2 hours): Show what you know
Small practical session where students apply their new knowledge on chronology, dating and inferring behavior from material culture.

Practical 2 (6 hours): Object analysis
Project: Students are presented with a material/object and they need to prepare a plan of action as to how to analyse the object and reconstruct as much of its ‘life-history’ as possible. They will select appropriate methods, show an understanding how specific analyses match specific questions (eg dating), show understanding of the limitations of their work and possible ethical issues they encounter.

During the practical students work on the assignment at a project table. Lecturers help and guide. Subsequently a presentation and a report are prepared.

Lecture 3 (2.5 hours): Presentation time
Student present the results from Practical 2.
Discussion.

Required background

Enrolled in a PhD program at TU Delft or IDEA League partners, keen interest in interdisciplinary research.

Course material

Slides and course notes.

Lecture 1

Required reading

  • Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P., 2020. Introduction: The nature and aims of archaeology. In: Archaeology: theories, methods and practice. Thames and Hudson, p 12-18.
  • Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P., 2020. When? Dating methods and chronology. In: Archaeology: theories, methods and practice. Thames and Hudson, p 121-164.
  • Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P., 2020. How were societies organised? In: Archaeology: theories, methods and practice. Thames and Hudson, p 178-230.
  • Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P., 2020. Whose past? Two boxes of choice from this chapter. In: Archaeology: theories, methods and practice. Thames and Hudson, p 546-576.

Deeping your knowledge

  • Kristiansen, K. 2009. The discipline of archaeology. In: Cunliffe, B., Gosden, C., and Joyce, R.A. (eds), The Oxford handbook of archaeology. Oxford University Press, p 3-46.
  • Pollard, A.M. 2009. Measuring the passage of time. In: Cunliffe, B., Gosden, C., and Joyce, R.A. (eds), The Oxford handbook of archaeology. Oxford University Press, p 145-168.
  • Williams, J. 2009. Indigenous voices, archaeology and the issue of repatriation. In: Cunliffe, B., Gosden, C., and Joyce, R.A. (eds), The Oxford handbook of archaeology. Oxford University Press, p 145-168.
  • Pascoe, B., 2018. Dark Emu: Aboriginal Australia and the birth of agriculture. Magabala Books.

Lecture 2

Required reading

  • Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P., 2020. What is left? The variety of evidence. In: Archaeology: theories, methods and practice. Thames and Hudson, p 51-72.
  • Tite, M.S. 2009. Mastering materials. In: Cunliffe, B., Gosden, C., and Joyce, R.A. (eds), The Oxford handbook of archaeology. Oxford University Press, p210-233.
  • Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P., 2020. The Oaxaca projects: The origins and rise of the Zapotec state. In: Archaeology: theories, methods and practice. Thames and Hudson, p 506-514.

Deepening your knowledge

  • Dobres, Marcia-Anne. 2009. "Technologies." In The Oxford handbook of archaeology, edited by B. Cunliffe, C. Gosden and R.A. Joyce, 115-141. Oxford: Oxford University Press,  pp 115-141.
  • TBA on analytical methods in archaeology.

ECTS credits:
2 Ects / 5GS

Lecturer(s):
Geeske Langejans, Sebastian Fajardo, Alessandro Aleo

Course dates:

  • Thursday 8 June 13.00 to 15.30 -> Lecture 1
  • Friday 9 June 9.00 to 11.30 -> Lecture 2
  • Friday 9 June 12.30 to 14.30 -> Practical 1
  • Tuesday 13 June 10.00 to 16.00 -> Practical 2
  • Friday 16 June 9.00 to 11.30 -> Presentations      
  • Tuesday 20 June deadline report
  • Maybe a another course in Nov/Dec

Group sizes:
10 participants

Assessment:

  • Participation discussions, active involvement is a requirement 33.3%
  • Presentation case-study – peer review with template-  33.3%
  • Two page report on case-study – with template- 33.3%

Contact:
Geeske Langejans
Team Langejans
g.langejans@tudelft.nl

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