This course introduces students to the key theoretical approaches and practical professional skills required to engage with archaeological artefacts and museum collections as assemblages. It supports the development of specialist skills in artefact analysis and professional reporting through research-led assemblage studies. 

4x1hr lectures, 4x1hrs seminars 8x1hr workshops, 1x2hr external visit, 1x1hr project supervision over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus.

Assembling the Artefacts (Hons)

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Assemblage Study Project (1000 words) - 30%

■ Assemblage Study Report (4000 words) - 70%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the project, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There are no alternatives to the report, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:  

■ Critically engage with the key theories and practices concerning archaeological and museum objects as assemblages and provide students with the opportunity to develop situated understandings of contemporary issues.  

■ Develop the practical skills necessary to record and work with archaeological artefactual assemblages, archives and research materials including those from active and legacy excavation projects as well as avocational work and museum collections.   

■ Explore how object-based and assemblage knowledge is generated in archaeological professional practice and used to inform contextual and situated understandings in the past and present.  

■ Consolidate students' knowledge and understanding of these topics and object-based research skills to support students in becoming critical and independent thinkers and researchers.   

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

■ Identify and apply the specific standards, conventions, legal and ethical practices to the study of archaeological artefacts and materials.  

■ Critically apply theoretical approaches (e.g. decolonial, new materialist and relational approaches) to rethink conventional archaeological practice, legacy assemblage and collection studies.  

■ Create research and collection care strategies for assemblages including quantitative and descriptive reports and catalogue

■ Develop object-based and artefact assemblage skills using knowledge from diverse contexts and sources.  

■ Evaluate the wider implications of diverse and emergent forms of assemblage work for contemporary practices and as future heritage professionals.