MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
ARCHAEOLOGY, CULTURAL HERITAGE AND MUSEUM STUDIES
COURSE OUTLINE-LEVEL 1-2
TEL ONE OFFICE NO. 29
ARC 101 INTRODUCTION TO THEORATICAL AND PRACTICAL
ARCHAEOLOGY
Definition of Archaeology
Aims of Archaeology
Nature of Archaeology
Branches of Archaeology
Clark 1953; Coles 1973; Fagan 1985; 1991; Fowler 1977; Hall 1996; Hassan 1979;
Pikirayi 1997; Renfrew and Bahn 1991; Trigger 1989.
Origins and Growth of Archaeology
Introduction to the History of Archaeology i.e. From the Antiquarian Period, Three Age
System to Charles Darwin’s Theory and Development in America.
Traditional, Processual and Post- Processual Archaeology
Fagan 1985; Childe 1964, Trigger 1989
Archaeology Evidence
1. Nature of evidence- sites, features, structures, ecofacts, artefacts, cultural landscapes,
context, stratigraphy,provenance, matrix, assemblage and association
2. Site formation processes, the evolution of cultural landscapes
3. Preservation of Archaeological Material – organic and inorganic substances, agencies
of destruction and decomposition
Aston 1985; Barker 1982; Bibby 1957; Ceram 1954; Clark 1953; Fagan 1985; 1991;
Hall 1996; Harris 1979; 1990; Hestel et al 1975; Hole and Haizer 1965; Grant et al
2002; Renfrew and Bahn 1991; Schiffer 1976; 1987.
Locating and Recording Archaeology Sites
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Traditional and Technology methods of locating sites
Research Strategies
Recording and Mapping sites
Aiteken 1974; Aston 1985; Fagan 1985, 1991; Hall 1996; Renfrew and Bahn 1991;
Schiffer 1976, 1987
Excavation
Why excavate? Where to excavate?(sampling techniques)
Excavation methods
Types of Excavation – Research, Rescue and Salvage
Recording the Evidence
Treatment of Excavated material and in the Laboratory
Grant et al 2002; Barker 1982; 1986; Cole 1977; Fagan 1985,1991; Hall 1996;
Renfrew and Bahn 1991.
Dating Methods
1. Relative Dating – Stratigraphy, Cross Dating, Typological Seriation, Partination
2. Absolute Dating Methods- Dendrochronology, Radio Carbon, Potassium-Argon,
Thermoluminescence, Fission Track, Paleomagnetic
Grant et al 2002; Fagan 1985; Renfrew and Bahn 1991
ESSAY TOPICS constitute (25%) of the continuous assessment.
Instructions:
a) All assignments should be typed and have a bibliography that conforms to
the author-date format (Harvard style). Essays must have one-and half- line
spacing, font size 12 and Times New Roman when typed.
b) Assignments should have at least THREE authoritative sources from the
World Wide Web and do not consult Google search engine, it gives more
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answers but not necessarily scholarly materials. Wikipedia as an internet
source as it is not an academic source as it can be edited. You can make use
of search engines such as Dogpile, Surfwax, Google Scholar or electronic
journals such as JStor to mention a few.
c) Semester assessments will consist of essays, in class tests and class
presentations.
d) The written essay will account for 20% and 5% will be for class presentation.
e) Students are required to demonstrate ability to:
-integrate concepts covered in class and readings
-think abstractly, logically, critically and ethically about issues
-analyse problems objectively
-identify needs
-meet goals
-formulate original and creative solutions and communicate clearly and
concisely
- make use of diagrams or tables where necessary and this should be related
to discussion.
f) The assignment must make an argument, provide points, assert a proposition
or build a model. You must demonstrate understanding of the extant
literature as it relates to topic or problem you define.
g) Due dates are to be discussed in preliminary lectures.
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