Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This course aims to give students an in-depth knowledge of lithic analysis and equip them with the necessary skills to undertake professional lithic analysis. The module places particular emphasis on learning how to ‘read’ assemblages, in terms of the human activities that generated them, as well as taphonomic issues that may affect their composition. The course also aims to enable students to recognised the techniques used to generate individual artefacts and an assemblage, as well as basic sourcing techniques. Students will also learn how to recognise diagnostic tool types and technologies from each period.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Introduction to terminology and frameworks of analysis
2. Technology 1: Flake cores and prepared cores. Experimental production
3. Technology 2: Blade technologies. Refitting.
4. Techniques of tool production. Lithic illustration.
5. Reading assemblages. Introduction to assessment.
6. Lower and Middle Palaeolithic
7. Upper Palaeolithic
8. Mesolithic and Early Neolithic
9. Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age
10. The Bronze Age and beyond
11. Assemblage analysis

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will:
•       Understand the main conceptual and practical frameworks used in lithic analysis
•       Have knowledge of the main techniques of flintworking
•       Have knowledge of the diagnostic tool types and technologies associated with each period
•       Understand how to go about analysing a lithic assemblage
•       Understand how to set out a commercial report
•       Understand how lithic analysis can be used to inform broader aspects of past lives

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will:
•       Be able to recognised key diagnostic tool types from each prehistoric period
•       Be able to recognise the techniques used to produce a lithic artefact
•       Be able to ‘read’ an assemblage
•       Have experience in writing a commercial-style lithic report
•       Have experience of in-depth research and interpretation of a lithic assemblage or artefact type

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Each week has an introductory lecture to introduce students to the key evidence and issues. The remainder is focused on practicals. This is to give students the in-depth experience of handling lithic material which is needed to gain expertise in this field. Teaching by showing is also the best method to permit students to recognise the technological and morphological traits needed to categorise lithic material and assign it to its correct chronological period.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Both formative and summative assessments are based on the practical analysis and reporting of lithic material. The formative assessment is designed to replicate a real-world commercial lithic report, based on the analysis of a small assemblage. The summative assessment is also based analysis of lithic material, either an assemblage or class of artefacts, but is intended to be more in-depth and research-based, relating the material to the broader context of the material and related literature.

General Notes

N/A