AR2F3W1-Silchester Field School (1 Week Modules pt.1)

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 5 [2.5ECTS credits]
Level: 5
Terms in which taught: Summer
Module Convenor: Ms AS Clarke
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: a.s.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The training excavation aims to provide the student with an experience of field archaeology in which a basic knowledge of field techniques and site recording methods will be acquired. Insight will be gained into the setting up and running of a large archaeological field project.
This module offers a practical hands-on introduction to the field techniques and site recording methods used on a large, long-running excavation. Students will spend a minimum of 4 weeks on the excavation and during this time will be able to participate in all aspects of site work. There will be daily dedicated training sessions and the opportunity for students to focus on particular fieldwork skills. Students will be assessed by a combination of continuous assessment (daily assessment of practical and transferable skills), a self-evaluation report which critically assesses their own performance, and an on-site test taken after 2 weeks on the excavation.

Clarke, A., Eckardt, H.., Fulford, M., Rains, M. & Tootell, K.,Silchester Roman Town. The Insula IX Town Life Project: the Late Roman Occupation, http://www.silchester.reading.ac.uk/later (2005)
2006: Fulford, M., Clarke, A. and H. Eckardt, Life and Labour in Late Roman Silchester: Excavations in Insula IX since 1997. London: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies Britannia Monograph 22, pp xviii + 404
2007: Clarke, A., Fulford, M. G., Rains, M. and K. Tootell, Silchester Roman Town Insula IX: The Development of an Urban Property c. AD40-50 – c. AD250, Internet Archaeology http://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue21/4//toc.htm

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the Field School it is expected that the student will be able:
• to identify and excavate archaeological stratigraphy
• to define and survey archaeological features
• to recover and process environmental samples
• to excavate, process and identify artefacts on site
• to identify and record archaeological deposits and to recognise the characteristics of soil texture, colour etc
• to work as part of a team
• to evaluate their own practical performance and understanding
• to analyse and interpret simple archaeological stratigraphy
• to demonstrate technical ability

Additional outcomes:
Students will also develop their IT awareness by observing the creation and development of the on-site archaeological database and accessing the relevant web pages. The first 2 weeks of the Field School will provide the students with a theoretical basis to build on and consolidate during the second half of their time on site, allowing the opportunity to develop their analytical and problem-solving skills. The experience gained on the training excavation will provide skills and foster attitudes which will be of value on any other archaeological fieldwork project. The module also aims to teach the student to communicate effectively with members of the public.

Outline content:
This is the 1st year for part-time students who wish to take the module over 4 years, doing their basic training in the first year and developing particular fieldwork skills in the subsequent years.
Students will spend a minimum of 4 weeks in all on the training excavation. At the start of the Field School, all students will take part in an on-site training day offering short talks on site Health and Safety, the use of archaeological tools, different recording methods and systems, environmental sieving and sorting, the use of the archaeological database, and site photography. This will be followed by a tour of the excavations. Each student is then assigned to a site supervisor, and during the course of the next 4 weeks, will learn to take responsibility for the excavation and recording of archaeological features under guidance. It is expected that each student will participate in every aspect of site work during their time on the Field School, with the possibility of concentrating on particular aspects of fieldwork during the second half of their 4 weeks on site. Students will also contribute to the development and upkeep of the on-site museum, and help organise events held on site Open Days. They will be kept up-to-date with site progress by means of a weekly site tour, and by regular reports from their individual supervisors.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Each student will be given a copy of the Silchester Field Course Handbook at the start of the excavation, outlining aims and results of the excavation, methods and details of recording, Health and Safety regulations and the processes of assessment. Subsequently students will receive instruction and guidance throughout the working day. There will be dedicated training sessions each week on individual aspects of the excavation. During the excavation they will be expected to comment on their learning experience by constant reference to a skills checklist. This will allow students the opportunity not only to monitor the different archaeological skills gained whilst on site, but also to assess critically their own site performance.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures			10
Tutorials/seminars
Practicals			34
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours			44
Number of essays or assignments
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework
All students will be expected to keep a daily diary of their time at the Field School. They will then produce a self-evaluation report (SAR) based on their diary, to be submitted at the beginning of the Autumn term. Students will sit a one hour exam after 2 weeks on site. A practical assessment will be carried out by the Director of the Field School in consultation with the site supervisors during the course of the excavation. Part-time students will be assessed at the end of their final season.

Relative percentage of coursework: 70%
Self-evaluation report 30%; practical assessment 40%.

Penalties for late submission: Penalties for late submission of course work will be in accordance with University policy.

Examinations: on-site test 30%.

Requirements for a pass: A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements: Re-take of whole module in the following Summer vacation, with submission of written assignments by 1 September.

Last updated: 23 November 2009