4 Week Combined Archaeology Course Ireland

This four week course will teach you the practicalities of archaeological excavation and provide you with hands-on experience of the key techniques you need to become future proficient excavators. This programme is generally aimed towards undergraduate students of archaeology and anthropology, who usually take the course for credit, but the course is open to all and can be taken by anyone with an interest in archaeological fieldwork.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will:

• understand the organisation and running of an archaeological excavation
• have acquired the basic skills of archaeological excavation and recording
• be familiar with primary post-excavation techniques
• have acquired intermediate skills of archaeological excavation and recording
• possess the skills necessary to work on archaeological excavations worldwide at general operative or site-assistant level

 

Course Outline:

This course covers both the the introduction and intermediate levels of archaeology.

 

Introduction Module

The first module is designed to provide students with their first taste of archaeological excavation.  It will explain the varied methods used by archaeologists to excavate different types of site, whilst providing practical experience of at least one of those methods in the field.

The module will also train students in a number of basic necessary skills, including:

• grid establishment and use
• trowelling techniques
• artefact recovery and recording
• sampling methodology
• context recording
• planning and photography

This will be achieved through on-site talks and lectures, physical demonstrations, and hands-on experience.

 

Intermediate Module

The second module intensive module is designed to train students in intermediate level skills of archaeological excavation.

It will explain the varied methods used by archaeologists to excavate different types of site and provide experience in a number of necessary skills, including:

• grid establishment and use
• trowelling techniques
• feature excavation
• artefact recovery and recording
• sampling methodology
• context recording
• planning and photography
• basic excavation responsibilities and team supervision

This will be achieved through on-site talks and lectures, physical demonstrations, and hands-on experience.

 

Assessment (for those seeking academic credit):

• Attendance at, and participation in, all scheduled fieldwork, field class and lectures
• Completion of a Learner’s Journal (daily entries, Introduction and Conclusion, illustrations)
• Short quiz / multi-choice test

 

Field tuition in the following:

• Site layout
• Cutting preparation
• Trowelling techniques
• On-site sample processing
• Artefact recovery
• Feature excavation
• The recording system
• Use of the automatic level
• Context sampling
• Excavation photography
• Context recording
• Section and profile drawing
• Plan drawing
• Equipment use
• Primary post-excavation procedures
• Washing artefacts
• Numbering artefacts
• Basic conservation
• Artefact illustration
• Artefact cataloguing
• Artefact photography
• Data entry and analysis
• Sample washing
• Sample sieving and flotation
• Inking up excavation drawings
• Digitising excavation drawings

 

Course Fee: €5,250

Learn more about paying your fees

Fees cover ALL of the following:

• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Insurance
• Equipment –  each student will receive their own 4″ Archaeology Trowel
• Transport to and from the site daily
• Breakfast, Lunch and Evening Meal Monday to Saturday
• Tea break
• An allowance will be provided for weekend trips