Course Description
All aspects of modern field archaeology on a classical site, including excavation techniques, the keeping of field records, and the classification and conservation of finds from the moment of recovery to their final disposition in museums.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students must conduct workshop sessions and/or assume supervisory responsibilities.
Athena Title
Pract in Classical Archaeology
Non-Traditional Format
Open only to students participating in the University's Carthage excavation.
Prerequisite
CLAS 1000 or CLAS 1000E or CLAS 1000H or CLAS 1010 or CLAS 1010E or CLAS 1010H or CLAS 1020 or CLAS 1020E or CLAS 1020H or CLAS 3000 or CLAS 3010 or CLAS(ANTH) 3015 or CLAS(ANTH) 3015E or CLAS 3030 or CLAS 3040 or CLAS3050 or permission of department
Corequisite
CLAS 4140/6140
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. STUDENTS WILL BECOME CONVERSANT WITH AND WILL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN ALL ASPECTS OF EXCAVATION OF A CLASSICAL SITE AS OUTLINED ABOVE. 2. STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO EVALUATE THE RAW MATERIAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS FOR ITS HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS. 3. STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND CRITIQUE MORE ACCURATELY PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED REPORTS FROM OTHER ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPEDITIONS.
Topical Outline
STUDENTS WILL BECOME PRACTICED IN THE FOLLOWING ARCHAEOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES BY WORKING (UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF EXPERTS IN THE FIELD) ON A CLASSICAL EXCAVATION: I. EXCAVATION TECHNIQUES. II. STRATIGRAPHY -- STUDENTS WILL LEARN HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND INTERPRET THE OCCUPATIONAL STRATA OF THE SITE. III. SURVEYING -- STUDENTS WILL LEARN HOW TO TAKE LEVELS IN THE FIELD WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF PROPER RECORD KEEPING IN EXCAVATION. IV. CERAMIC INTERPRETATION -- STUDENTS WILL WASH AND MEND POTTERY AND LEARN THE POTTERY SEQUENCES OF THE SITE WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO DATE THEIR EXCAVATED ARCHAEOLOGICAL LOCI. V. FAUNAL AND FLORAL ANALYSIS -- STUDENTS WILL ASSIST IN METHODS OF FAUNAL AND FLORAL ANALYSIS SUCH AS SEED FLOTATION AND DRY SIEVING AND WILL GAIN RUDIMENTARY SKILL IN IDENTIFYING THESE IMPORTANT REMAINS. VI. RECORD KEEPING -- STUDENTS WILL LEARN HOW TO KEEP A TRENCH NOTEBOOK WHICH IS A DAILY RECORD OF ALL EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES IN A TRENCH AND WILL LEARN TO MAKE TOP PLANS AND SECTION DRAWINGS OF THE TRENCH. VII. CONSERVATION -- STUDENTS WILL ASSIST THE EXCAVATION CONSERVATORS IN PRESERVING FINDS. VIII. CATALOGUING -- STUDENTS WILL ASSIST THE EXCAVATION REGISTRAR IN RECORDING AND LOGGING FINDS FOR STUDY AND STORAGE FOR UPCOMING EXCAVATION REPORTS.