Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module will provide students with an in-depth knowledge of key themes in the early medieval archaeology of Britain, with a focus on the lands now making up England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. We will explore key themes in early medieval archaeology to gain an in depth understanding of the period.
The aims of this module are:
1. To provide an in depth knowledge of key themes relating to the early medieval archaeology.
2. To examine the sources and methods that are available to early medievalists including archaeological excavation and survey, landscapes, artefact studies, and historical documents.

Outline Of Syllabus

The course will examine the following key themes in early medieval archaeology:

Regionality in the North European ‘Iron Age’
Migration and Ethnicity
Art and Material Culture
Cult and Rulership
Death, Belief and Commemoration
Conversion and Christianisation
Christian Spaces and Royal Places
Settlement and Landscape
Trade and Exchange
Landscapes of Governance
The 'Viking Age'
Urbanism and Trade Systems

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. an knowledge of the sources used by early medieval archaeologists in Northern Europe
2. an understanding of the methods used by early medievalists for analysing data from a range of sources
3. an understanding of key themes relating to early medieval Northern Europe

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. the ability to identify and use effectively specialist publications including fieldwork reports, surveys, and excavation reports.
2. the ability to collect, collate and analyse data from a range of different sources relating to themes in the early medieval archaeology of Northern Europe using relevant techniques.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1. Lectures will provide an introduction to significant themes and concepts.
2. Seminars will deliver advanced knowledge and critical understanding, building on the lectures, through presentation and in-depth discussion of detailed case studies.
3. Private study to provide in-depth understanding through background reading, preparation of seminar presentations, identification/collation/analysis of information for assessments.
4. The field-trips (one focussing on urban archaeology, the other rural archaeology) are fundamental in allowing students to gain a fuller understanding of the nature of sites and landscapes.

The fieldtrip provides practical experience of the observation and study of physical remains of past societies, and in conjunction with classroom based-learning allows the student to gain experience with the diverse sources of evidence used in Archaeology and build links between class-room based learning and application of knowledge in the field, including building a responsible attitude to the study, interpretation, preservation, and presentation of archaeological remains. The urban field trip will be a walking tour of Newcastle, and incur no additional cost to the module.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Essays will assess ability to analyse data critically and published interpretations relating to key themes in early medieval studies using methods and techniques taught through lectures and seminars.

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.


This module can be made available to Erasmus students only with the agreement of the Head of Subject and of the Module Leader. This option must be discussed in person at the beginning of your exchange period. No restrictions apply to study-abroad, exchange and Loyola students.

General Notes

N/A