This innovative and fascinating course will cover a wide spectrum of the methods and techniques used in modern archaeology, including the history and development of archaeology. You will have the opportunity to investigate a number of virtual sites worldwide, exploring ancient ruins and the re-creation of sites.

You will have ample opportunity to research on selected individual projects. From the very beginnings of human occupation of sites right through diverse time periods, we will investigate and examine our ancestors’ way of living through material remains. It is by analysing these sites of past habitation that we may learn and understand our own cultural past and what it means to us today. From traditional methods, such as field walking and artifact recognition, right through the spectrum to aerial photography, satellite remote sensing and virtual computer reconstruction, you will discover and unravel the exciting mysteries of the past.

Outline

1: Introduction - Getting started

2: Chronology of Archaeology

3: Fieldwork and recording

4: Excavating and reporting

5: Dating and scientific applications

6: The Computer and archaeology

7: Creating a site Report

8: Project work

9: The End Game

Who should take this course?

This course is aimed at anyone who has a general interest in archaeology or ancient history, whether as a personal interest/hobby, or as a future professional archaeologist.

Follow on

This is an excellent core module which students can use as a base to enrol on further archaeology/history courses and to enrol in Higher Education programmes at college or university.

You will need

All materials are provided online through the course - there is nothing additional you have to purchase. However there is one (optional) set book - Archaeology - an Introduction Greene, K 4th edition, which you may find helpful.

A camera, digital or ordinary, may be useful if the student wishes to take local photographs for a project: all other maps will be found on the relevant websites.

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements apart from some basic IT skills.

How long is this course?

About 45 hours, and we suggest you set aside about 4 hours a week - but it's up to you. You will have tutor support for 6 months. You will have access to your course for a year.

Your tutor

Your tutor for this course is Howard Middleton-Jones. You can find out more about on the Tutors page.

Further information

Click here to download a leaflet. (PDF format)

Do you have any further questions? Visit our Contact Us page and ask away.