This is a hands-on, archaeological excavation-based course currently run collaboratively between staff from the School of Archaeology & Anthropology, ANU, and the Archaeological Studies Program (ASP) at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Manila. The main emphasis in this course is the development of competency and familiarization with a range of practical skills associated with excavation driven archaeological research; particularly excavation, recording and post-excavation analysis. While the emphasis is on these 3 aspects of archaeology, students will also be introduced to a range of other archaeological skills such as mapping, survey, site location, assessment, sorting, artefact analysis and inventorying. Given the stress on practical skill development, this intensive field-based takes place on a ‘real’ archaeological site that is important in elucidating aspects of the ancient past in thePhilippines.
*While the venue, and country, may change from year to year, the fundamental structure and content of the course will not change.
The cost of the course will be charged directly to students. Enrolment will be limited, and selection will be based on evaluation of marks to date and specific research interest in archaeology.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- better appreciate and understand archaeological research designs and their impact(s) on excavation-based strategies;
- demonstrate a high level of competency in archaeological excavation and recording (documentation) techniques and methods; including, but not limited to, context-based excavation techniques, basic site surveying and mapping, depth control (using both basic dumpy techniques and string levels with local datums), and stratigraphic profiling;
- understand basic problems in tropical archaeology stratigraphy, taphonomy, and site formation (positive and negative) processes;
- demonstrate familiarity with tropical archaeological site surveying and excavation;
- demonstrate an ability to work in a remote field setting (e.g. more than 50km from a major metropolitan area with potentially limited access to communication and facilities such as electricity, running water, flushing toilets etc);
- show appreciation of the practice of archaeology in an international setting (e.g. working in a country with a potentially very different national language, culture, customs and traditions, religious, political, economic, educational and legal systems etc);
- be in a position to evaluate the context of archaeological finds.
Indicative Assessment
- Team Work and Daily Participation (10) [LO 5,6]
- Field Journal ( approximately 1,500 words) (40) [LO 1,7]
- Field Skills Competency Demonstration (50) [LO 2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours taught as an intensive three and a half week teaching and fieldwork course in the Summer session (generally January each year) and takes place in-country. Two and a half weeks of this time will be spent in the field and the lab.Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the School of Archaeology and Anthropology to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
None
Assumed Knowledge
It is highly recommended that students will have completed ARCH3021 Archaeological Field MethodsFees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $3960 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5100 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
