This course introduces students to a selection of microanalytical techniques used in archaeological science. Students will receive instruction in three different sub-fields: geochemical sourcing, stable isotope analysis and trace analysis. The emphasis is upon acquiring "hands-on" knowledge of each technique, including the equipment used, the generation of data and the interpretation of data. Students will prepare samples and collect data using techniques such as x-ray fluorescence, chemical isolation of bone collagen, and optical and electron microscopy.  

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Assess the potential for application of microanalysis techniques in specific situations
2. Evaluate published archaeological microanalysis studies
3. Perform basic microanalysis techniques using appropriate technology
4. Understand and implement good laboratory techniques including safe practice and proper documentation.

Research-Led Teaching

Students analyse archaeological materials and obtain scientific information from the analysis of human bone isotopes, stone artefact geochemistry and ceramic petrography that is used to answer research questions about the past and which can be incorporated in archaeological science publications and used in practical contract archaeology investigation

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture 1: Introduction to Microanalysis and Geochemical Sourcing
2	Laboratory 1: Geochemistry Artefact Recording
3	Lecture 2: Geochemistry Sourcing and the Neolithic
4	Laboratory 2: Geochemistry Artefact Analysis
5	Lecture 3: Geochemistry signatures of Complex Societies
6	Laboratory 3: Geochemistry Artefact Analysis	Quiz 1
7	Lecture 4: Human Expansion and Sourcing
8	Laboratory 4: Geochemistry Data Processing: Identifying Artefact Source	Due: 1 Essay ONLY - Module 1 essay
9	Lecture 5: Introduction to sediments in an archaeological context	Due: Laboratory report - Module 1
10	Laboratory 5: Principles of sediment analysis
11	Lecture 6: Applications of sediment analysis in archaeology
12	Laboratory 6: Practical applications of sediment analysis
13	Lecture 7: Sediment analysis in archaeological models
14	Laboratory 7: Practical applications and data analysis of sediment results	Quiz 2
15	Lecture 8: Geomorphology and landscape interpretation
16	Laboratory 8: Data analysis and presentation of sediment results	Due: 1 Essay ONLY - Module 2 essay
17	Lecture 9: Introduction to Pottery analysis	Due: Laboratory report - Module 2
18	Laboratory 9: Pottery analysis
19	Lecture 10: Pottery analysis and sourcing
20	Laboratory 10: Pottery analysis and sourcing
21	Lecture 11: Lapita pottery I – Practical approaches
22	Laboratory 11: Petrographic analysis	Quiz 3
23	Lecture 12: Lapita pottery II – Theoretical approaches
24	Laboratory 12: Petrographic analysis	Due: 1 Essay ONLY - Module 3 essay
25	Laboratory Report Module 3	Due: Laboratory Report - Module 3
26	Laboratory Report Module 2 (Part 3+4)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Quiz 1	5 %	1, 2, 3, 4
Quiz 2	5 %	1, 2, 3, 4
Quiz 3	5 %	1, 2, 3, 4
Laboratory Report Module 1	20 %	2, 3, 4, 5
Laboratory Report Module 2	20 %	2, 3, 4, 5
Laboratory Report Module 3	20 %	2, 3, 4, 5
Essay	25 %	1, 2

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Quiz 1

There will be a short quiz in Week 3 of Module 1 worth 5%. The quiz will be held in the lecture or practical laboratory depending on class size and will cover lecture readings, laboratory procedures and analytical techniques.

Assessment Task 2

Quiz 2

There will be a short quiz in the Week 7 of Module 2 worth 5%. The quiz will be held in the lecture or practical laboratory depending on class size and will cover lecture readings, laboratory procedures and analytical techniques.

Assessment Task 3

Quiz 3

There will be a short quiz in the Week 11 of Module 3 worth 5%. The quiz will be held in the lecture or practical laboratory depending on class size and will cover lecture readings, laboratory procedures and analytical techniques.

Assessment Task 4

Laboratory Report Module 1

Each module requires a laboratory report worth 20% for a total of 60%.

The laboratory reports include documentation details of all laboratory activity including sample preparation, observation, analysis techniques and results (including machine parameters), data techniques and processing. Students are encouraged to illustrate reports with photographs, diagrams and observations. The purpose of each report is to demonstrate familiarity with… the process of an analytical investigation and the methodology used to reach scientific conclusions about prehistory in each module.

Due 7 days after end of module. Word length: 2000 words but may be longer.

• Module 1 Laboratory Practical, Week 5

Marking Rubric

Content (25%): Have you used an appropriate combination of text, graphs, photos and tables etc. to describe and document the laboratory work?

 

Structure (25%): Does the laboratory report have a logical format with different types of activity recorded in an appropriate section?

 

Procedures (25%): Are the procedures outlined, described and justified. It is important to say why you have used a particular approach in each step of the analysis.

 

Interpretation (25%): Have you properly considered all of the the analytical results and demonstrated that you properly understand the data? 

Assessment Task 5

Laboratory Report Module 2

Each module requires a laboratory report worth 20% for a total of 60%. The laboratory reports include documentation details of all laboratory activity including sample preparation, observation, analysis techniques and results (including machine parameters), data techniques and processing. Students are encouraged to illustrate reports with photographs, diagrams and observations. The purpose of each report is to demonstrate familiarity with… the process of an analytical investigation and the methodology used to reach scientific conclusions about prehistory in each module. Due 7 days after end of module. The exception is the isotope module report which is split into two sections worth 10% each (1&2 and 3&4) due to the need to process samples out of scheduled laboratory time and the delay while bone isotopes are being analysed at RSES. Word length 1000-1500 words but may be longer.

• Module 2a Laboratory Practical 1&2, Week 10

Marking Rubric

Content (25%): Have you used an appropriate combination of text, graphs, photos and tables etc. to describe and document the laboratory work?

 

Structure (25%): Does the laboratory report have a logical format with different types of activity recorded in an appropriate section?

 

Procedures (25%): Are the procedures outlined, described and justified. It is important to say why you have used a particular approach in each step of the analysis.

 

Interpretation (25%): Have you properly considered all of the the analytical results and demonstrated that you properly understand the data? 

Assessment Task 6

Laboratory Report Module 3

The laboratory reports include documentation details of all laboratory activity including sample preparation, observation, analysis techniques and results (including machine parameters), data techniques and processing. Students are encouraged to illustrate reports with photographs, diagrams and observations. The purpose of each report is to demonstrate familiarity with… the process of an analytical investigation and the methodology used to reach scientific conclusions about prehistory in each module.

Due 7 days after end of module. The exception is the isotope module report which is split into two sections worth 10% each (1&2 and 3&4) due to the need to process samples out of scheduled laboratory time and the delay while bone isotopes are being analysed at RSES. Word length 2000 words but may be longer.

• Module 3 Laboratory Practical, Week 13

Marking Rubric

Content (25%): Have you used an appropriate combination of text, graphs, photos and tables etc. to describe and document the laboratory work?

 

Structure (25%): Does the laboratory report have a logical format with different types of activity recorded in an appropriate section?

 

Procedures (25%): Are the procedures outlined, described and justified. It is important to say why you have used a particular approach in each step of the analysis.

 

Interpretation (25%): Have you properly considered all of the the analytical results and demonstrated that you properly understand the data? 

Assessment Task 7

Essay

One essay worth 25%. Students can choose 1 essay topic from any one of the three modules and the easy is due at the end of relevant module. For example, if the Module 1 essay topic is chosen the due date is at the end of Module 1 (Week 4). If the Module 2 essay topic is chosen the due date is at the end of Module 2 (Week 8). Word length 2000-3000 words but may be longer.

Indicative dates:

Week 4

Week 8

Week 12

Marking Rubric

1.    Argument. How clearly have you expressed your argument? Is it persuasive? Is it insightful? Does it work with and develop the course information? 25%

 

2.    Critical Analysis. Do you critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your sources and the available arguments? Are you able to position your analysis within class discussions and broader theoretical debates? 25%

 

3.    Structure and Organisation. Is your essay clearly structured and presented? Is your evidence used appropriately? Are you within the word limit – not too high above it, and not too far below it? [See CAP/ANU guidelines] 25%

 

4.    Sources and Citation. Have you drawn on a wide enough range of sources? Are the sources you have used reputable and relevant ones? Have you cited all sources appropriately and listed them correctly in the bibliography? 25%

 

5.    A penalty of 5% accrues for each day the essay is late.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students