Field Archaeology (ANCW30025)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2025

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Overview

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This winter intensive subject is a hands-on, residential field school, teaching practical core archaeological skills through active participation in an authentic research setting at the ancient site of Rabati, coordinated by staff from the Classics and Archaeology programme in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the National Museum in Georgia. The main emphasis in this course is the development of competency and familiarisation with a range of practical field archaeology skills; excavation, recording and post-excavation analysis. While the emphasis is on these 3 aspects of field archaeology, students will also be introduced to a range of other archaeological processes such as surveying, sorting, recording, artefact analysis and inventorying. Given the stress on practical skills, this intensive field school takes place on a ‘real’ archaeological site in the Republic of Georgia. In addition to the field work, the intensive will include on-site lectures and tutorials, museum and site visits. On successful completion of the course, students will acquire a thorough and detailed knowledge of the main tasks involved in field archaeology. They will have developed practical skills in excavation, recording and post-excavation analysis; they will also acquire considerable ability to process and interpret archaeological evidence, manage the information obtained, and communicate their findings in a coherent and scholarly way. They will have participated in activities which involve group work as well as individual effort and will have a developed an understanding of key field archaeology practices.

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to: 

  • Employ the principles and methods by which archaeological data are gathered, recorded, analysed and used to reconstruct the past
  • Develop a broad knowledge of the range and varied nature of archaeological data, and be able to identify, analyse and record various types
  • Attain a range of basic fieldwork techniques and skills, which can be used and applied on field archaeology projects
  • Carry out independent research, manage the information obtained, and communicate their findings in a coherent and scholarly way
  • Participate in activities which involve team work as well as individual effort, and will have a developed an understanding of key field archaeology processes and practices.

Generic skills

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:

  • Develop critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate concepts, beliefs, considering multiple perspectives, and supporting evidence
  • Communicate effectively in writing and synthesis an argument in cogent form
  • Evaluate the impact of social, ethical, and cultural contexts
  • Acquire greater confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems
  • Reflect on the communication conventions of another culture
  • Conduct independent research and effectively manage information

 

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Please note: Entry into this subject is by application only. Students will be selected based on academic background, strength of application, and possibly interview. Places are limited. Students may not self-enrol. Applications close end of March and successful students will be notified by mid-April.  Further information can be found here:

Link

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

General knowledge and interest in field archaeology and ancient world studies.

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ANCW20028 Interpreting Material Culture
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Four short exercises

  • 1000 words (equivalent)
Throughout the teaching period25%

An assignment ('dig diary')

  • 1000 words
Week 225%

A report

  • 2000 words
3 Weeks after the end of teaching50%
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures.Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. Throughout the semesterN/A

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

Not available in 2025

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

Enrolment is limited to 15 students. An application process applies and students will be selected based on their academic background and strength of application.

Location: Georgia, Europe 

Duration: 2 weeks 

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 9 April 2025