NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, GALWAY
Welcome to 2nd year!
2nd Year Archaeology
2015 / 2016 Handbook
Year Co-ordinator: Professor Elizabeth FitzPatrick
The Courses ................................................................................................................................. 4
Assignment Deadline Dates ..................................................................................................... 8
Course Details ............................................................................................................................. 5
Timetable 2015 / 2016 ............................................................................................................. 6
Daily Timetable 2015 / 2016 ................................................................................................... 7
Exams and Assessment ............................................................................................................. 8
AR225 Hunters and Farmers in Early Europe ..................................................................... 9
AR246 Castles, Colonists and Crannógs 1100-1350 .......................................................... 11
TI254 Space, Place and the Irish Landscape .................................................................... 13
AR250 Sacred Places and Christian Buildings in Medieval Ireland .............................. 15
AR236 Interpretation in Archaeology ................................................................................. 18
AR245 Archaeology in Practice ............................................................................................ 20
AR328 Irish Art from the Early Iron Age to the 8th Century A.D. ......................... 24
The Department Library ........................................................................................................ 26
Active Learning – Some Practical Advice ........................................................................... 27
3
The Courses
In second year archaeology, there are core and option modules. In semester one,
students must complete the two core modules and they must also choose one
module from the options offered. In semester two, all three modules are core, ie.
there are no options in semester two. In addition, there are field classes each
semester.
Semester 1
Core Modules
AR225 Hunters and Farmers in Early Europe
AR246 Castles, Colonists and Crannogs 1100-1350
Option Modules
AR250 Sacred Places and Christian Buildings in Medieval Ireland
TI254 Space, Place and the Irish Landscape
Semester 2
All Core Modules
AR236 Interpretation in Archaeology
AR245 Archaeology in Practice
AR328 Irish Art from the Early Iron Age to the 8th Century AD
4
Course Details
Semester One
5
5
Date of
first
lecture
8.9.15
7.9.15
Date of
last
lecture
25.11.15
25.11.15
5
5
10.9.15
7.9.15
30.10.15
23.11.15
Course
Assessment
ECTS
AR225 Hunters and Farmers In Early Europe
AR246 Castles, Colonists & Crannógs 1100-1350
Exam
Essay
Option Modules
AR250 Sacred Places and Christian Buildings
TI254 Space, Place and the Irish Landscape
Essay
Exam
Core Modules
Field Classes
AR246 Castles, Colonists & Crannógs 1100-1350 – Saturday 14th November, 2015
AR250 Sacred Places and Christian Buildings in Medieval Ireland – Saturday 17th October, 2015
Semester Two
Core Modules
AR236
AR245
AR328
Interpretation in Archaeology
Archaeology in Practice
Irish Art from the Early Iron Age to
the 8th Century A.D.
ECTS
Date of
first
lecture
Date of
last
lecture
Essay
Project
5
5
13.1.16
11.1.16
12.3.16
13.4.16
Essay
5
2.2.16
14.4.16
Course
Assessment
Field Classes
AR236 Interpretation in Archaeology - Saturday 12th March, 2016
AR245 Archaeology in Practice – Options - Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st February and
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th February, 2016.
AR328 Irish Art from the Early Iron Age to the 8th Century A.D –Wednesday 23rd March, 2016
5
Timetable 2015 / 2016
Semester One - Core Modules
Code
AR246
AR225
AR225
AR246
Module Name
Castles, Colonists & Crannógs
1100-1350
Hunters and Farmers In Early
Europe
Hunters and Farmers In Early
Europe
Castles, Colonists & Crannógs
1100-1350
Day
Time
Venue
Monday
11 am – 12 pm
Larmor Theatre
Tuesday
11 am – 12 pm
AC213
Wednesday
11 am – 12 pm
AC213
Wednesday
1 pm – 2 pm
Larmor Theatre
Day
Time
Venue
Monday
10 am – 11 am
D’Arcy Thompson
Theatre
Monday
1 pm – 2 pm
IT125 Ground Floor
Thursday
11 am – 12 pm
Dillon Theatre
Friday
11 am – 12 pm
AC202
Day
Time
Venue
Semester One - Option Modules
Code
TI254
TI254
AR250
AR250
Module Name
Space, Place and the Irish
Landscape
Space, Place and the Irish
Landscape
Sacred Places & Christian
Buildings in Medieval Ireland
Sacred Places & Christian
Buildings in Medieval Ireland.
Semester Two - Core Modules
Code
AR245
AR328
AR236
AR245
AR328
AR236
Module Name
Archaeology in Practice
Irish Art from the Early Iron
Age To The 8th Century A.D.
Interpretation in Archaeology
Archaeology in Practice
Irish Art from the Early Iron
Age To The 8th Century A.D.
Interpretation in Archaeology
Monday
11 am – 12 pm
AC214
Tuesday
11 am – 12 pm
Mc Munn Theatre
Wednesday
Wednesday
11 am – 12 pm
1 pm – 2 pm
IT125 Ground Floor
IT125 First Floor
Thursday
11 am – 12 pm
Dillon Theatre
Friday
11 am – 12 pm
AC204
Note: AR328 Irish Art lectures commence in week 4 of Semester two on 2 February, 2016.
6
Daily Timetable 2015 / 2016
Semester One (Core & Option Modules combined)
Day
Monday
Time
10 am – 11 am
Code
TI254
Name
Space, Place and the Irish Landscape
Monday
11 am – 12 pm
AR246
Castles, Colonists & Crannógs 1100-1350
Monday
1 pm – 2 pm
TI254
Space, Place and the Irish Landscape
Tuesday
11 am – 12 pm
AR225
Hunters and Farmers In Early Europe
Wednesday
11 am – 12 pm
AR225
Hunters and Farmers In Early Europe
Wednesday
1 pm – 2 pm
AR246
Castles, Colonists & Crannógs 1100-1350
Thursday
11 am – 12 pm
AR250
Sacred Places and Christian Buildings in Medieval Ireland
Friday
11 am – 12 pm
AR250
Sacred Places and Christian Buildings in Medieval Ireland
Semester Two (Core & Option Modules combined)
Day
Time
Code
Name
Monday
11 am – 12 pm
AR245
Archaeology in Practice
Tuesday
11 am -12 pm
AR328
Irish Art from the Early Iron Age To The 8th Cent. A.D
Wednesday
11 am – 12 pm
AR236
Interpretation in Archaeology
Wednesday
1 pm – 2 pm
AR245
Archaeology in Practice
Thursday
11 am -12 pm
AR328
Irish Art from the Early Iron Age To The 8th Cent. A.D
Friday
11 am – 12 pm
AR236
Interpretation in Archaeology
In the event of any changes during the academic year, you will be notified
through Blackboard, so please log on to Blackboard on a regular basis.
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Exams and Assessment
Semester One
AR225
AR246
AR250
TI254
Hunters and Farmers In Early Europe
Exam and text analysis.
Castles, Colonists & Crannógs 1100-1350
3,500 word Essay
Sacred Places and Christian Buildings in Medieval Ireland
Field essay & in class test.
Space, Place and the Irish Landscape
Exam
Semester Two
AR236
AR245
AR328
Interpretation in Archaeology
Assignment and Field Class based Assignment
Archaeology in Practice
Two in-class tests & Project
Irish Art from the Early Iron Age to the 8th Century. A.D.
Assignment, Class Test and 3,500 word Essay
Assignment Deadline Dates
AR225
AR246
AR250
TI254
AR236
AR245
AR328
Hunters and Farmers in Early Europe
Castles, Colonists and Crannogs 1100-1350
Sacred Places and Christian
Buildings in Medieval Ireland
Space, Place and the Irish Landscape
Interpretation in Archaeology
AR236 Assignment 1
AR236 Field Class Assignment
Archaeology in Practice
AR45 Class Test 1
AR45 Class Test 2
Final Project
Irish Art from the Early Iron Age
to the 8th Century AD
AR328 Assignment 1
AR328 Class Test
AR328 Final Essay
Exam
Friday 4 Dec 2015
Thursday 26 Nov 2015
Exam
Friday 18 March 2016
Monday 18 April 2016
Wed. 27 Jan 2016
Wed. 17 February 2016
Friday 29 April 2016
Tuesday 9 February 2016
Thursday 7 April 2016
Monday 11 April 2016
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AR225 Hunters and Farmers in Early Europe
Second year compulsory module (semester one)
Course Convenor: Dr. Stefan Bergh
Lecturers: Dr. Stefan Bergh, Dr. Carleton Jones & Dr Andrew Whitefield
Structure of module:
Lecture Commences:
Lecture Ends:
24 lecture hours over twelve weeks in Semester one.
Tuesday 8/09/15
Wednesday 25/11/15
Lecture times and venues:
Day
Tuesday
Wednesday
Assessment:
Course Weighting:
Time
11 am – 12 pm
11 am – 12 pm
Location
AC213
AC213
Two-hour written examination and text analysis.
5 ECTS
Module Summary
This course introduces evidence from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods of
Western Asia and Europe, to create a context for the understanding of the early
prehistory of Ireland. We will look particularly at the possible reasons why
communities who lived by foraging and hunting adopted agriculture and what
implications those changes had. The course begins with an overview, followed by an
examination of various aspects of Mesolithic society. The origin of farming in
Western Asia is next, followed by the Neolithic of the central and north European
plain and the introduction of agriculture to Western Europe, particularly to Britain
and Ireland. The development of ritual and burial monuments will be explored
towards the end of the course.
Learning Outcomes
This course enables students to:
Describe the range of evidence for the development of prehistoric
communities and societies in Europe and Western Asia
Place evidence for the development of prehistoric societies in Ireland in a
wider context
Recognise selected key artefacts and site types from the relevant periods
in Europe and Western Asia
Demonstrate critical understanding of the nature of prehistoric evidence,
its chronology and classification including awareness of problems in the use
of classification tools
Assemble and comment on evidence regarding key
issues in the study of the Mesolithic and Neolithic
periods in Europe and Western Asia
Critically discuss and compare interpretations by
archaeologists of this evidence
Core Texts
Cooney, G. & Grogan, E. 1994 Irish Prehistory: A
Social Perspective. Dublin: Wordwell.
B. Cunliffe (ed.) 1994 Prehistoric Europe: The
Oxford Illustrated History of Prehistoric Europe.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Whittle, A. 1996. Europe in the Neolithic. The
Creation of New Worlds. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Price, D.T. 1987. The Mesolithic of Western Europe.
*A comprehensive reading list will be provided at the start of the course.
10
AR246 Castles, Colonists and Crannógs 1100-1350
Second year compulsory module (semester one)
Lecturers: Dr. Kieran O’Conor, Dr. Paul Naessens, Dr. Rory Sherlock.
Structure of module:
23 lecture hours over twelve weeks in Semester one.
Lecture Commences:
Lecture Ends:
Monday 7/09/15
Friday 25/11/15
Lecture times and venues:
Day
Monday
Wednesday
Time
11 am – 12 pm
1 pm – 2 pm
Location
Larmor
Larmor
Field Class on Saturday, 14 November, 2015
Assessment:
Course Weighting:
3,500 word essay, due Friday 4th December, 2015.
5 ECTS
Lough Meelagh Crannóg, Co. Roscommon
Module Summary
This course critically examines the archaeology of Ireland during the high medieval
period from c. 1100 until the late 14th century. The reform of the church in the
12th century and the nature of society prior to the arrival of the Normans are both
examined in the first part of this course. The background to the coming of the
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Anglo-Normans to Ireland in 1169 and the impact they had on the landscape are
discussed in depth. Themes for this part of the course will include the role of
castles, the manorial economy, trade, the foundation of villages and towns by
mostly English immigrants and dispersed settlement in Anglo-Norman dominated
parts of eastern Ireland. In particular, the interplay between castle, town and
country in Anglo-Norman Ireland is explored in this comprehensive programme.
It must also be remembered that large parts of Ireland remained in some way
under the control of Irish (Gaelic Irish) princes and lords. The course will chart
the interaction between the indigenous Irish and the newcomers. Lectures in this
section of the course will examine the nature of Irish settlement during the period
under review and will argue that while there was much change, continuity from the
pre-Norman period was seen too. The changes of the 14th century will be examined
in the last lectures of the course.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course (which includes
the completion of the assessment) a
student should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of
the archaeology of high medieval
Ireland
Critically analyse competing
interpretations of medieval
settlement in high medieval Ireland.
Properly structure and coherently
write a 3,500-word essay
Dominican Friary, Roscommon
Core Texts
Barry, T. B. 1987 The archaeology of medieval Ireland. London and New
York.
Duffy, P., Edwards, D. and FitzPatrick, E. (eds). 2001 Gaelic Ireland,
c.1250-c.1650: land, lordship and settlement. Dublin.
O’Conor, K. 1998 The archaeology of medieval rural settlement In Ireland.
Discovery Programme Monographs 3, Dublin.
O’Conor, K. 2004 Medieval rural settlement in Munster, Barryscourt
Lecture No. VII, 225-56, Gandon Editions, Kinsale
O'Keeffe, T. 2000 Medieval Ireland: an archaeology. Stroud.
Murphy, M. And Potterton, M. The Dublin Region in the Middle Ages (Dublin
2010)
12
TI254 Space, Place and the Irish Landscape
Second year option module (semester one)
Course co-ordinators: Maggie Ronayne & Ulf Strohmayer
Lecturers: Maggie Ronayne, Professor Ulf Strohmayer & Dr. Stefan Bergh,
*** Please note – if you choose TI254 as your optional module in Archaeology, and you
are also studying Geography, you must not register for it as one of your Geography
modules. ***
Structure of module:
Lecture Commences:
Lecture Ends:
22 lecture hours over twelve weeks in semester one.
Monday 7/9/15
Monday 23/11/15
Assessment:
Course Weighting:
Field report (30%) and two hour written exam.
5 ECTS
Lecture times and venues:
Day
Monday
Monday
Time
10 am – 11 am
1 pm – 2 pm
Location
D’Arcy Thompson Theatre
IT125 Ground Floor
Module Summary
This module aims to critically explore the historical and
contemporary complexities of Irish culture, place and
landscape through select case-studies, thematic and/or
locational, and through a range of theoretical concerns
from both Archaeology and Geography. The module
engages the key challenge of carefully contextualising
and historicising understandings of landscape, heritage
and environment, and exploring urgent contemporary questions of landscape /
environment sustainability, governmentality and management. The module will
provide an introduction to the various ways in which human societies interact(ed)
with their environment, and will be able to provide both chronological depth and
thematically-specific case-study knowledge of key sites and spaces across the
island of Ireland. Particular attention too will be given to the range of competing
discourses on issues of environment, landscape and development in both rural and
urban Ireland and their implications for communities in the present and the future.
Some of the case studies will be able to provide a long term trajectory of
developments (in rural landscapes, urbanisation etc.) , while others may choose to
focus on other aspects of the physical or social environment.
13
Learning Outcomes
the ability to critically read the rich diversity of landscape, culture and
heritage across the island of Ireland and to understand its key historical
contexts
to proficiency to deconstruct the various political, cultural, economic and
symbolic significances of a range of Irish urban and rural landscapes
the capability to see landscape, memory and heritage as concepts which are
fluid, politically and socially constructed and reproduced, and ultimately
contested
the capacity to interpret representations of historical and contemporary
landscapes from a range of theoretically informed and multi-disciplinary
perspectives.
Core Texts*
*A comprehensive reading list will be provided at the start of the course. Other
suggested reading:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
B. Bender and M. Winer (eds), 2001, Contested Landscapes: Movement, Exile
and Place. Berg: Oxford and New York
D. Brett, 1996, The Construction of Heritage, Cork University Press, Cork
D. Cosgrove and S. Daniels (eds), 1988, The Iconography of Landscape,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
J. Duncan, 1990, The City as Text: The Politics of Landscape Interpretation,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
J. Duncan and D. Ley (eds), 1993, Place/Culture/Representation, Routledge,
London
B.J. Graham, G.J. Ashworth and J.E. Tunbridge (eds), 2000, A Geography of
Heritage: Power, Culture and Economy, Arnold, London
K. Hetherington, 1998, Expressions of Identity: Space, Performance,
Politics, Sage, London
G. Kearns and C. Philo (eds), 1993, Selling Places, Pergamon, Oxford
D. Lowenthal, 1998, The Heritage Crusade and the Spoils of History,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
J. Tunbridge and G. Ashworth, 1996, Dissonant Heritage: The Management
of the Past as Resource in Conflict, Wiley, Chichester
14
AR250 Sacred Places and Christian
Buildings in Medieval Ireland
Second year option module (semester one)
Lecturer: Prof. Elizabeth FitzPatrick & Guest Speaker
Structure of module:
Lecture Commences:
Lecture Ends:
16 lecture hours over eight weeks in semester one.
Thursday 10/9/15
Friday 30/10/15
Lecture times and venues:
Day
Thursday
Friday
Time
11am- 12pm
11am – 12pm
Location
Dillon Theatre
AC202
Assessment:
Field based essay 80% & Class test 20%
Essay due Thursday 26th November, 2015.
Course Weighting:
5 ECTS
N.B. A field class at Clonfert, Co. Galway is a compulsory feature of this
module and will be held on S a t u r d a y 1 7 O c t o b e r 2 0 1 5 .
80% of the overall marks for the module are awarded for an essay assignment
that uses Clonfert as a case study. It is therefore essential that you attend.
Module Summary
This module presents and discusses places in the Irish landscape where Christian
foundations were established during the medieval period.
Thematically
f o c u s e d , it addresses some of the reasons why particular places became
Christian saintly cult centres, and how they developed and changed through time.
An appreciation of the styles and influences in Irish ecclesiastical buildings and in
architectural and portable sculpture to c.1200 AD is integral to this study and
treated in relation to the major movements, such as Romanesque, in British and
Continental European church architecture.
Lecture Themes
15
Christian landscapes
Monastic spatial organisation and symbolic meaning
The earliest church buildings
High crosses and the politics of kingship
Round towers
Romanesque: origins in Continental Europe and Britain
‘Gaelic- or Hiberno-Romanesque’ and Romanesque in Ireland
Teach Molaise, a shrine chapel to St Molaise on Inishmurray Island in Sligo Bay
Learning Outcomes
Appreciate the dialogue between the pagan and christian worlds of
medieval Ireland.
Recognise what constitutes a ‘meaningful’ place in a medieval Irish
christianised landscape.
Account for the key developments in Irish medieval ecclesiastical buildings
in a European context.
Acquire skills to read and record the fabric of church buildings,
architectural sculpture and ecclesiastical art objects.
Core Texts
Please note that reading specific to particular themes of this module will be posted
on the Blackboard site.
Barral I Altet, Xavier 2001 The Romanesque: towns, cathedrals and
monasteries. Köln. (See Chapter 1 The emergence of new forms, Chapter
2 The diffusion of Romanesque).
Bracken, D. and Ó Riain-Raedel, D. (eds) 2006 Ireland and Europe in the
twelfth century: reform and renewal. Dublin.
Doherty, C., Doran, L. and Kelly, M. 2011 Glendalough: City of God. Dublin.
16
FitzPatrick, E. and Gillespie, R. (eds) 2006 The parish in medieval and early
modern Ireland. Dublin.
FitzPatrick, E. and O’Brien, C. 1998 The medieval churches of County
Offaly. Dublin. (See Chapter 2 Romanesque and transitional-style
churches).
King, H. A. 1998 Clonmacnoise studies 1: seminar papers 1994. Dublin.
Marshall, J.M. and Walsh, C. 2005 Illaunloughan Island: an early medieval
monastery in County Kerry. Dublin.
Ó Carragáin, T. 2010 Churches in early medieval Ireland: architecture,
ritual and memory. New Haven and London.
Ó Carragáin, T. And O' Sullivan, J. 2008 Inishmurray: monks and pilgrims in
an Atlantic landscape. volume 1: survey and excavations 1997-2000. Cork.
O’Keeffe, T. 2003 Romanesque Ireland: architecture and ideology in the
twelfth century. Dublin.
O’Keeffe, T. The Romanesque portal at Clonfert cathedral and its
iconography. In C. Bourke (ed.), From the Isles of the North: early medieval
art in Ireland and Britain, 261-9. Belfast.
Overbey, K. 2012 Sacral Geographies: Saints, Shrines, and Territory in
Medieval Ireland. Turnhout.
Toman, R. (ed.), 1997 Romanesque architecture, sculpture, painting.
Kölin (see Introduction pp.7-31).
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AR236 Interpretation in Archaeology
Second year compulsory module (semester two)
Lecturer: Maggie Ronayne
Structure of module:
Sixteen lectures and one compulsory field class over
eight weeks in semester two.
Lectures Commence:
Lectures End:
Wednesday 13/1/16
Saturday 12/3/16
Lecture times and venues:
Day
Wednesday
Friday
Time
11 am – 12 pm
11 am – 12 pm
Location
IT125 (Ground Floor)
AC204
Assessment:
2,000 word essay due Wednesday 18th March, 2016 and
2,000 word field assignment due Monday 18th April, 2016
(each worth 50% of the final mark).
Course Weighting:
5 ECTS
Field class will be on Saturday 12th March, 2016
Module Summary
This course is an introduction to the different theories and frameworks
archaeologists have used to interpret the past. The key question today is how our
approach to our work as archaeologists can relate positively to communities whose
heritage we are investigating. After
a look at theories archaeologists
used in the 19th and 20th centuries,
we will examine recent and exciting
work by archaeologists together
with communities. Examples will be
drawn from Ireland and all over the
world – from the struggle to reclaim
a district of Cape Town bulldozed in
apartheid
South
Africa
to
explorations of Indigenous women’s
role in the development of
agriculture in North America and Western Asia to the archaeology of maroons and
opposition to slavery in the Americas. The course will provide students with an
opportunity to engage in discussion about particular readings and issues.
18
Learning Outcomes
This course will enable students to:
Recognise a variety of approaches to interpretation in Archaeology
Place these approaches in their wider academic, historical and social
context.
Compare approaches to interpretation in different parts of the world
Understand the role of interpretation
Critically discuss and evaluate contrasting interpretations and current
debates
Construct a clear, coherent argument
Assess the theoretical framework and social context of archaeological
writing, projects or other work
Appreciate the need for professionals to work with communities in the
development of interpretations
Core Texts
•
•
•
•
•
Gamble, C. 2001. Chapter 2: How Many Archaeologies Are There? In
Archaeology: The Basics. London and New York: Routledge, 21-44.
Hodder, I. and Hutson, S. 2003. Reading the Past. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Orser, C. 1996. A Historical Archaeology of the Modern World. New York
and London: Plenum Press.
Trigger, B. 1996 [1984]. Alternative Archaeologies: Nationalist, Colonialist,
Imperialist. In R. Preucel and I. Hodder (eds.), Contemporary Archaeology in
Theory. Blackwell: Oxford and Cambridge, Mass., 615-631.
Trigger, B. 1989. A History of Archaeological Thought. Cambridge:
University Press.
•
A detailed reading list will be provided in class and some reading material will be on
Blackboard.
19
AR245 Archaeology in Practice
Second year compulsory module (semester two)
Course Convenor: Dr. Carleton Jones
Lecturers: Dr. Carleton Jones, Dr. Kieran O’Conor, Dr. Margaret Mannion
Mr Joe Fenwick & Ms Angela Gallagher
Structure of module: Twelve initial lectures and one of the following three options
in Semester 2:
Option 1
Field Archaeology in Practice => two weekend field classes
Option 2
Material Culture in Practice => two drawing weekend
practicals.
Option 3
Regional Archaeology in Practice => 10 scheduled research
practicals (one hour each)
Lecture Commences:
Initial Lecture Ends:
Monday 11/1/16
Wednesday 17/2/16
Lecture times and venues:
Day
Monday
Time
11 am – 12 pm
Wednesday
1 pm – 2 pm
Location
AC214
IT125
(1st Floor)
Assessment:
In-class Test 1 (20%) - Wednesday 27 January, 2016
In-class Test 2 (20%) - Wednesday 17 February, 2016
Final Project (60%) – Friday 29 April 2016.
Course Weighting:
5 ECTS
Module Summary
The objective of this module is to (a) introduce the student to a range of
fundamental sources and methods used by the archaeologist and (b) to teach the
student how to apply those sources and methods in practice. Please note that
lecture 12 in this module will be an in-class test that constitutes 20% of your
overall mark in this module.
In order to make the experience of the module more fulfilling, you are offered a
choice of three practical options after you have attended the first 12 lectures of
the module. The idea behind the options is that you choose 1 out of the 3 that will
20
best suit your ability and needs. In the first week of the module you will be asked
to rank your choices 1-3. Places for each option will subsequently be allocated to
students by ballot. The practical options are:
1. Field Archaeology In Practice
2. Material Culture In Practice
3. Regional Archaeology In Practice
Please choose your option carefully and with due regard
to your abilities and needs.
Students planning a medieval church in the
‘Archaeology in the Field’ Option of AR245.
Option 1: Field Archaeology in Practice
Please note that this course is capped at 20 students and that there will be a fee
of €30 to cover the cost of bus transport (subsidised) over two weekends.
This option involves both on-campus tuition and outdoor practicals over the course
of two weekends during which you will be taught how to compile a detailed
archaeological report of selected monuments in the Burren landscape, Co. Clare.
When will it happen?
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st February, 2016 and Saturday 27th February and
Sunday 28th February, 2016. These are all-day sessions.
What does it involve?
Students taking this option will attend tutorials on campus on Saturdays (9.00am
to 5.00pm), with Sundays assigned to practical field recording and survey at
selected sites in the Burren (departing 8.00 am with a packed-lunch, waterproofs,
etc. and returning 6.00pm). The facilities of the Carron Research Centre will be
available during Sunday field classes but unlike previous years AR245 students will
not be required to stay overnight.
21
How will I be assessed?
20% on your field notebook and 60% on your final report on the landscape study.
Does this suit me?
Students taking this option need to be certain that they are free on the
designated weekends in February, as there is no option to repeat this practical at a
later date. The work is out doors and will require (a) an aptitude for, and interest
in field survey and recording (b) a tolerance of potentially difficult weather
conditions (c) a reasonable degree of fitness.
Option 2: Material Culture in Practice
Please note that this course is capped at 10 students and that there will be a fee
of €20 to cover the cost of materials.
What does it involve?
This option involves two weekends during which you will be taught how to record
and draw archaeological artefacts, how to write a finds catalogue entry and
research different types of artefacts.
When will it happen?
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st February, 2016 and
Saturday 27th February and Sunday 28th
February, 2016. These are all-day sessions.
Where is it held?
It will be held in the Department of Archaeology
Library.
How will I be assessed?
This practical will be assessed by a report which will combine the drawings you
have produced, the catalogue entries you have written and the research you have
done on the artefacts themselves.
Does this suit me?
Students taking this option need to be certain that they are free on the
designated weekends in March, as there is no option to repeat this practical at a
later date. The work will require (a) some ability to draw (b) an interest in detail
and precision.
22
Option 3: Regional Archaeology in Practice
What does it involve?
This desk-based option involves 10 scheduled hours (see
time-table) in which you will be tutored on a range of map
and documentary sources appropriate to an assigned
region and shown how to access those sources. A range
of in-class practical activities will also take place to
prepare you to carry out your regional study. The overall
aim is that you will be able to compile a quality study of
what is known about the archaeology of a particular
region based on available documentary sources.
When will it happen?
A portion of the Record
During normal scheduled lecture hours from February of Monuments and Places.
24th through to April 13th, 2016.
Where is it held?
See time-table above, same venues as initial lectures.
How will I be assessed?
The student will be required to use a variety of sources to put together a report
that characterises the archaeology of a specific region. Sources will include items
such as topographic maps, geological maps, photographs, OS letters, OS maps,
journals, excavation reports, etc.
Does this suit me?
Student taking this option should have (a) an interest in exploring a wide range of
interesting sources from maps and photographs to excavation reports and journal
articles (b) an ability to draw different sources together to tell the story of a
region.
Note that this option will be very suitable for students
who cannot take weekend classes.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module it is hoped that students will have acquired a basic
knowledge about a wide range of sources and methods that are germane to the
discipline of archaeology. The practical application of those sources and methods
should also inform students about their own abilities and strengths and enable
them to begin to think about potential career options in archaeology.
Core Texts / Bibliography
Reading lists will be provided in class.
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AR328 Irish Art from the Early Iron Age
to the 8th Century A.D.
Second year compulsory module (semester two)
Lecturer: Dr. Fiona Gavin
Structure of module:
Lecture Commences:
Lecture Ends:
17 lecture hours over eight weeks in Semester two.
Tuesday 2/2/16
Thursday 14/4/16
Assessment:
Short essay due Tuesday 9 February 2016
Class examination Thursday 7 April, 2016 and
Final essay due Monday 11th April, 2016.
Course Weighting:
5 ECTS
Lecture times and venues:
Day
Tuesday
Thursday
Time
11 am – 12 pm
11 am – 12 pm
Location
Mc Munn
Dillon
NB. Compulsory field class on Wednesday, March 23rd 2016
Module Summary
The sublime artistic achievements of the 8th century such as the Book of Kells, the
Tara Brooch and the Ahenny crosses, represent the climax of an artistic tradition
that began with the introduction of Celtic or La Tène
art styles into Ireland around the 4th century BC.
This course examines how, following the Roman conquest
of western Europe, the Classical roots of La Tène art
re-emerge as a dominant element in Irish art of the
first few centuries AD and continue, as a core element
in the motif-book of early Christian art, into the 7th and
8th century. Dominated by fantastical animals, Germanic
art of Dark Age Europe was also incorporated into
Insular art styles. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, in
revealing cross-cultural influences and the more arcane concerns of its audience,
art provides a unique window on the past that can be explored through
iconographical analysis.
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Learning Outcomes
In-depth knowledge of Irish art from its late prehistoric genesis to the
‘Golden Age’ of the 8th century AD
Understanding of the broader European context of Irish art during this
period
Understanding of the role of symbolism and iconography in Irish art of the
period through case studies
Core Texts - Short bibliography (full bibliography on Blackboard)
Bourke C. 1995. From the Isles of the North: Early Medieval Art in Ireland
and Britain: Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Insular
Art held in the Ulster Museum, Belfast, 7-11 April 1994. HMSO Belfast.
Henderson, G. 1987. From Durrow to Kells: The Insular Gospel-books 650800. London.
Hourihane C. 2001. From Ireland Coming: Irish art from the early Christian
to the late Gothic period and its European context. Princeton.
Megaw, R and Megaw, V. 1989. Celtic Art. From its beginnings to the book
of Kells. London.
Moss, R. 2007. Making and Meaning: Proceedings of the Fifth International
Conference on Insular Art held in Trinity College Dublin 25-28 August
2005, 167-184. Four Courts Press, Dublin.
Spearman R.M. and Higgitt J. 1993. The Age of Migrating Ideas: Early
Medieval Art in Northern Britain and Ireland: Proceedings of the Second
International Conference on Insular Art, Scotland 1991. Edinburgh.
Youngs, S. 1989. The Work of Angels, Masterpieces of Celtic Metalwork,
6th-9th Centuries AD. London.
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The Department Library
Rules of the Library for 2nd year, 3rd year, and
Visiting Archaeology students taking 2nd and 3rd year modules
1
The Library (Room ARC 202) in the Archaeology Dept. is open to
2 n d , 3 r d year and Visiting Archaeology students who wish to study
and consult the collection.
2
Library opening hours can be found on the Library door.
3
When using the library each student must sign in and sign out.
See book provided.
4
All Books and Journals are on Desk Reserve and may not be
removed from the Library.
5
An index to the Books (which have a code on the spine) can be
found on top of the map cabinet. It may not be removed from the
Library. Note, late additions can be found at the back of each
index.
6
If consulting Books or Maps please return them to the correct
shelf / drawer.
7
The library will not be open in the evenings.
8
Please ensure that windows are closed when leaving the Library
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Active Learning – Some Practical Advice
Studying at University level is quite different from being at school. You will find that it is much
more up to you to plan and organise your study long term and short term, from the programme
modules you choose to the weekly and daily study schedule. To benefit fully from being enrolled
in a programme we strongly advise you to settle into a good study practice right from the start.
While the departments and the lecturers are committed to providing you with the best possible
learning experience, the outcome is ultimately dependent on your contribution and dedication to
your own learning. You have chosen to come here and you have chosen the subjects you wish to
study. For that reason we expect you to have significant interest in your chosen subjects. Our
role is to help you to acquire the knowledge and the skills you will need in your future career.
We therefore strongly recommend the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Attend all lectures, tutorials, seminars, field classes and other teaching opportunities
offered to you. In archaeology there are no textbooks that cover all the topics. This
means that a lot of information will be provided only through lectures, tutorials and field
classes. The lecturers are there to share their knowledge and experience with you for
your benefit. Missing out on this will have severe negative impact on your learning.
Start reading the suggested course literature from the beginning of semester. This will
support your understanding of the presentations through lectures. In third level education
you should not expect lecturers to repeat all the arguments put forward in articles. Their
role is to assist you in evaluating data, methodology and theories, while you are responsible
for acquiring basic information available in the course reading.
Participate in class discussions. Lectures are much more interesting they if involve your
active participation. You should not hesitate to raise and discuss points during class, or
challenge and question what is being said. Feel free to be critical! The lecturer will not
take offence – he/she will see this as a positive contribution to the teaching. An
important skill that future employers look for is the ability to assess and discuss data and
projects.
Plan and schedule your study. It is important to apportion time to read, make notes and
write throughout the semester, and it is particularly important to schedule time to
complete your assignments. For recommendations please read the suggestions from Aidan
Moran
in
the
first
year
handbook
that
you
find
on
http://www.nuigalway.ie/archaeology/documents/1st_yr_handbook__2014_2015_final.pdf
Form small study groups. Join up with a few fellow students. You can help each other by
meeting regularly to discuss the course reading and the topics covered in the lectures.
Get involved in out-of-class discipline-related activities. It is important to recognise that
you learn a great deal from fellow students, at undergraduate as well as postgraduate
level. They can assist and advise you informally on many things, and we encourage you to
socialise with your fellow students, for instance by joining the Archaeological Society.
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