Methods of Field Archaeology, Curating and Interpretation

The course provides practical and theoretical skills with regard to the implementation and management of archaeological projects. This involves excavations and surveys, with the choice of research questions and methods, as well as understanding the procedures of cultural heritage priorities and regulations.

Students also get practical experience with day to day leadership, publicity, infrastructure and management of equipment and human resources; field conservation, field documentation, and collecting and cataloging objects and samples. Students gain practical experience with how archaeological field observations, artifacts, samples and documentation is archived, and are trained to analyze a wide range of landscapes through field surveys/field course.

A candidate who has passed the course is expected to have the following learning outcomes defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

The candidate

• Has broad knowledge of various forms of archaeological field operations with associated knowledge theory, practical planning, survey forms and documentation ways
• Has advanced knowledge of the most common forms of archaeological traces, object types and features.

Skills

The candidate

• Has practical and theoretical skills in planning, implementation and management of archaeological field work problematizing, choice of relevant methods.
• Has understanding in the procedures of cultural heritage priorities and regulations; publicity, infrastructure, equipment and human resources, field conservation, field documentation, collecting and cataloging of objects and samples.
• Has practical experience of how archaeological field observations, artifacts, samples and documentation is registered and archived.
• Has practical exercise in analyzing a wide range of cultural traces in varied landscapes through field surveys and field courses.

The course includes field exercises and field courses in recording, excavation techniques and project management. The first field course (fall) focuses on recognition, surveying and registration. The second field course (spring) is related to excavations. A minimum of 3/4 attendance on both theoretical lectures, field exercises and the field course. Report from the registration course (fall) must be approved before the candidate can attend exam (spring).