Introduction to Archaeology

Course goals

The aim of this course is to introduce you to the basics of archaeology and familiarize you with:

• Basic archaeological methods and techniques.
• Sites and archaeological discussions which have defined the discipline of archaeology.
• The core theories and explanatory frameworks archaeologists use to interpret material culture
• The suite of interdisciplinary tools and instruments from the exact sciences archaeologists use to reconstruct the past.        
• Excavation reports and central heritage legislation.

Content

In this introductory course you will learn the most important methods and theories that define the archaeological discipline. Drawing on a series of both Dutch and international case studies we will study how archaeologists collect and analyze archaeological data, and use the information encoded in archaeological material culture to interpret the past. Through a series of lab exercises using state-of-the art instruments, excursions and guest lectures from scientists who lead large (ongoing) archaeological projects, this course will encourage you to use data from different disciplines to make a meaningful reconstruction of the past.

Additional information

This is the first course of the minor Archaeology.

The courses in this minor are taught in English. If all students are native Dutch speakers, the course will be taught in Dutch. Students may complete their assignments, papers and tests in either Dutch or English.

Please note: the time slot shown here is not yet final and may still be modified until the 3rd Wednesday in September.