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Duncan Garrow,
Jim Leary,
Mary Lewis,
Amanda Clarke,
Yen Tu,
Emily Carroll,
Elaine Jamieson,
Claire Nolan,
Jennifer Austen,
and
Sarah Downum
Week 1: Week 2: Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more No prior experience of archaeology is needed. This course is designed for anyone interested in studying an archaeology degree at university. However, anyone with an enthusiastic interest in archaeology is very welcome to join us too. You can use the hashtag #FLdigtolab to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
Read more
Week 1: Week 2: Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more No prior experience of archaeology is needed. This course is designed for anyone interested in studying an archaeology degree at university. However, anyone with an enthusiastic interest in archaeology is very welcome to join us too. You can use the hashtag #FLdigtolab to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
Read more
Week 1: Week 2: Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more No prior experience of archaeology is needed. This course is designed for anyone interested in studying an archaeology degree at university. However, anyone with an enthusiastic interest in archaeology is very welcome to join us too. You can use the hashtag #FLdigtolab to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
- The transferable skills needed to be an archaeologist
- Introduction to the Neolithic period
- Planning an excavation
- How does a dig work?
- Storing, handling, recording and transporting artefacts
- Introduction to the medieval period
- Human bone analysis
- Archaeological science: what can isotopes in bone tell us?
- Museums: the ethics of storage and display
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/z8cw9z/archaeology
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Reviews summary
Comprehensive archaeology introduction
According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive introduction to archaeology, guiding students from the initial dig through lab analysis and ethical considerations in museums. Many found the content highly engaging and appreciated the broad overview of the field provided by the University of Reading. The course is seen as a solid starting point for those new to archaeology or considering academic study. While widely praised for its scope and presentation, some learners felt certain topics warranted more in-depth coverage or that the pace was quite fast given the amount of material. Overall, it's considered a valuable foundational course.
Ideal for those new to archaeology.
"Definitely aimed at beginners, which was perfect for me."
"Not recommended if you already have an archaeology degree."
"A great taster course if you're thinking of studying this at university."
"Anyone with just an interest will find this accessible and informative."
Content is interesting and well-presented.
"Found the modules on bone analysis and ethics particularly interesting."
"The course covers a fascinating range of subjects, keeping me engaged."
"Lectures were well-structured and easy to follow."
"The variety of topics covered gives a great taste of the different aspects of archaeology."
Excellent starting point for beginners.
"This course gave me a fantastic introduction to archaeology."
"I feel I have a really good overview of the entire process now."
"Perfect if you're completely new to the subject and want to see what it's all about."
"I gained a solid foundation in how archaeological work is conducted."
Covers a lot of material quickly.
"Felt like we rushed through some of the later modules."
"There's a lot of information packed into a short time, be prepared to move fast."
"Kept me busy trying to keep up with the pace of new concepts."
"Could have benefited from being slightly longer to allow more time on each topic."
Covers many topics, some briefly.
"Wish they had spent more time on specific excavation techniques."
"It's a broad sweep, so don't expect deep dives into any one area."
"I enjoyed the variety but some parts felt a bit superficial for my taste."
"Good overview, but lacked the detail I was hoping for in some areas."
Activities
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Archaeology: from Dig to Lab and Beyond.
These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.
Career center
Learners who complete Archaeology: from Dig to Lab and Beyond will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/z8cw9z/archaeology
Reading list
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This handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview of the field of archaeology, covering a wide range of topics, from the history of the discipline to the latest developments in theory and method. It is an essential reference work for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest research in archaeology.
Provides a clear and concise overview of the major theoretical and methodological approaches in archaeology. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the different ways that archaeologists interpret the past.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of the field of archaeology, covering its history, methods, and theories. It is an excellent introduction to the discipline for anyone who is new to the subject.
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Provides a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of human origins, covering the evidence for human evolution from the earliest hominins to the emergence of modern humans. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the origins of our species.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of ancient Egypt, covering the history, culture, and society of the ancient Egyptians. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating civilization.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of the Roman Empire, covering the history, culture, and society of the Romans. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this powerful and influential empire.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of medieval Europe, covering the history, culture, and society of the Middle Ages. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this important period of European history.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of colonial America, covering the history, culture, and society of the colonists. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this important period of American history.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of gender, covering the history, culture, and society of gender. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this important topic.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of religion, covering the history, culture, and society of religion. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this important topic.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of death, covering the history, culture, and society of death. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this important topic.
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This is widely considered a foundational textbook in archaeology, offering a comprehensive overview of the field's theories, methods, and practical applications. It is essential for gaining a broad understanding and is commonly used in undergraduate programs. The book covers a vast range of topics and global examples, making it an excellent reference tool.
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Provides a broad survey of world prehistory, exploring the development of human societies across different regions and time periods. It's a valuable resource for gaining a foundational understanding of the human story as revealed by archaeology. It serves well as a textbook for introductory courses.
Offers a clear and engaging introduction to the key theoretical concepts and debates in archaeology. It is particularly useful for students looking to deepen their understanding of the intellectual underpinnings of archaeological research. It is often used as a core text in theory courses.
Considered a classic, this book provides a comprehensive history of the development of archaeological thought from its origins to the present day. It is crucial for understanding the evolution of the discipline and the context for contemporary approaches. This is more suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students.
A seminal work by a key figure in processual archaeology, this book outlines Binford's approach to understanding the archaeological record through the lens of living systems. It classic that provides valuable insights into archaeological reasoning and interpretation. This must-read for those interested in the history of archaeological theory.
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Presents a compelling and sometimes controversial view of the archaeological evidence for the history of ancient Israel, comparing it with the biblical narrative. It is highly relevant for courses touching on Biblical Archaeology and demonstrates how archaeology can inform and challenge historical interpretations. It is accessible to a broad audience.
A comprehensive introduction to the archaeology of one of the most fascinating ancient civilizations. covers the history, environment, language, and major periods of ancient Egypt, directly supporting courses on Egyptology. It widely used textbook for those specializing in this area.
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Provides an in-depth look at the major pre-Columbian civilizations of Mesoamerica, covering their history, societies, and material culture. It is directly relevant to courses on Mesoamerican archaeology and valuable resource for understanding the rich archaeological heritage of this region. It is suitable for undergraduate and graduate levels.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/z8cw9z/archaeology
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Time
6 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institution
University of Reading
Instructors
Duncan Garrow
Jim Leary
Mary Lewis
Amanda Clarke
Yen Tu
Emily Carroll
Elaine Jamieson
Claire Nolan
Jennifer Austen
Sarah Downum
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