Archaeometallurgy (ARC2507)
| Staff | Dr Gillian Juleff - Lecturer |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 15 |
| ECTS Value | 15 |
| NQF Level | 2 |
| Pre-requisites | |
| Co-requisites | |
| Duration of Module | Term 1: 11 weeks; |
Module aims
The module will outline the discovery and development of metallurgy from the earliest use of native metals and the impact of metallurgy on cultural dynamics. Important technological developments in both ferrous and non-ferrous will be highlighted. The focus of the module will be on the metallurgical process – including ore mining, smelting, refining and object manufacture – and evidence for technological processes in the archaeological record. Practical exercises in assessing debris from early metalworking processes will be conducted and students will examine the microstructures of ancient metal artefacts.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Understand the role of metallurgy in cultural development in ancient and more recent history
- 2. Understand the development of metallurgy from its origins in the Western Asia
- 3. Know the technological processes of metal production
- 4. Assess the types of datasets commonly encountered in archaeometallurgy
- 5. Be aware of analytical and interpretative techniques for the assessment of archaeometallurgical evidence
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 6. Research a topic guided by a reading list
- 7. Understand and critically evaluate archaeological information from a wide range of sources
- 8. Organise information synthetically to address key thematic issues
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 9. Synthesise and share information with peers, giving and receiving constructive criticism
- 10. Self-reflect on progress within a co-operative group environment
- 11. Contribute to group tasks and assignments
- 12. Develop competence in word processing and report presentation
Syllabus plan
1. Origins of metallurgy
2. The metallurgical process: ore to artefactÂ
3. Copper and bronze
4. Iron and steel
5. Ores and mining: techniques and archaeological evidence
6. Pioneering metallurgy: major events in the development of metallurgy
7. Metallurgy in the archaeological record: furnaces, smelting, crucibles, refining, forging and casting
8. Working histories: analysis of artefacts and waste (practical)
9. Experimental and ethno- metallurgy
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SLT | 12 | Lectures |
| SLT | 4 | Seminars/demonstrations |
| SLT | 4 | Level 2 essay tutorial |
| GIS | 130 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formative group assignment - preparation of revision notes on chosen topic for peer dissemination | 1500 words |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 40 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| written assignment from a choice of titles | 40 | 1500 words | ||
| quiz in class based on module content | 20 | |||
| Exam | 40 | 1 hour |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Indicative basic reading list:
Craddock, P.T., 1995. Early metal mining and production, Edinburgh University Press.
Craddock, P.T. and J. Lang (eds), 2003. Mining and Metal Production through the ages, The British Museum Press.
Hodges, H., 1989. Artifacts, Duckworth, London.
Tylecote, R.F., 1992. A history of metallurgy (2nd edition), The Insitute of Metals, London.
Tylecote, R.F., 1990. The prehistory of metallurgy in the British Isles, The Institute of Metals, London.
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Module materials on ELE
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
www.hist-met.org.uk is the web page of the Historical Metallurgy Society and has useful links to other web sites. Journals
Historical Metallurgy
Journal of Archaeological Science
Archeometry
Available as distance learning?
No
Last revision date
2011-09-08
