Methods of Field Archaeology I

Students will gain insight into the landscape history, and types, of Central Norway and learn to recognize the most important archaeological cultural remains. Training in documentation techniques, and a materials course will also be offered, where students will be given an overview of archaeological materials - central topics will be material type, raw material and typology. An introduction to the structure, regulations, priorities and practice of the Norwegian cultural heritage management will also be provided.

According to the course curriculum, a candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome (defined as knowledge and skills):

Knowledge:
The candidate has attained
- basic knowledge of various landscapes and landscape history, cultural landscapes and the most important categories of archeological cultural remains in Central Norway
- broad knowledge of the structure and laws of Norwegian cultural heritage management, priorities and practice, with special emphasis on cultural remains and societal expansion (spatial planning)
- an overview of the main traits of archeological artefacts, and the application of the most important dating-methods

Skills:
The candidate has acquired skills to
- analyse various types of landscapes in Central Norway with regard to localization of cultural remains, as well as in basic methods of registration
- recognize traces of early man in the landscape, and place the most common types of cultural remains and archaeological artefacts in time

Students accepted into the bachelor programme in archaeology or cultural heritage management have priority in course participation. The course structure will depend on the exact number of students; students must therefore register for the course by December 1. Normally, instruction will take the form of lectures, seminars, and field trips. In order to be able to sit the exam, the student is required to attend a minimum of 75 percent of the theoretical lectures and 75 percent of the field trips.
Exam questions may be based on obligatory lectures and other activities in addition to the required readings list.