CLST 129
Introduction to Archaeology

Instructors

Fall

Dr. A. M. Foley
Office: 506 Watson Hall
Email: foleya AT queensu.ca
Phone: 613-533-6000 x74827

Winter

Dr. B. Reeves
Office: 512 Watson Hall
Email: reevesb@queensu.ca
Phone: 613-533-6000 x74824

Outline

This course presents the history and development of archaeology as an academic discipline, the methods of obtaining evidence by excavation, the evaluation of such evidence, and the reconstruction of ancient environments. Both historic and prehistoric sites will be examined with special reference to Greece, the Aegean, and the Roman Near East. The contribution of archaeology to our knowledge of human history will also be discussed.

N.B. This course may be taken for a full credit towards a concentration in History. It may also be taken as a "linkage" course for Applied Science students.

The Practical Part of CLST 129 Classwork

Ten weeks of this course will be concerned with the practical aspects of archaeology and theorems derived from practice. How do we find a site and make certain that it will produce? How do we arrange for an excavation and organize it? In the trench, how do we proceed and make sense of the process? And how do we communicate our understanding to others? In different words, we will deal with surveys, subsurface detection, land acquisition, legal problems, work permits, money, staffing. Maps and grids, soils and stratigraphy. Mobile and immobile finds. Recording, conservation, and interpretation.

The visual component of the lectures derives from excavations and fieldwork carried out by both Dr. Foley and Dr. Reeves.

Attending class to see the illustrations and keeping notes seems the best and easiest way to learn.

Grading

Each term is worth 50% of the course grade. Dates TBA.

Fall Term:

• 2 Class Tests - 10% each
• December Exam - 30%

Winter Term:

• In-Class Exam 1 (Thursday, Feb. 2)                                15%
• In-Class Exam 2 (Thursday, March 8)                              15%
• Final Examination (in April exam period)                           20%

Grading Methodology

All components of this course will receive numerical percentage marks.  The final grade you receive for the course will be derived by converting your numerical course average to a letter grade according to Queen’s Official Grade Conversion Scale:

                                          Queen’s Official Grade Conversion Scale

Texts

For the Fall Term:

• W. R. Biers, The Archaeology of Greece (any edition)

READINGS

WEEK 1

Chapter 1

WEEKS 2-3

No specific readings but it might be useful to look over books on Pompeii.

WEEKS 4-5

Chapters 2 and 3

WEEKS 6-7

Chapters 2 and 3

WEEK 8

Chapters 2 and 3

WEEK 9

Chapters 4, 5 and 6

WEEK 10

Chapters 6 and 7

WEEK 11

Chapters 8 and 9

WEEK 12

Chapter 12

 For the Winter Term:

• C. Renfrew & P. Bahn, Archaeology Essentials, 2^nd ed. (Thames and Hudson 2010)
  Text website: http://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/college/archeology-essentials2/

N.B. Details of this schedule may vary. Any changes will be announced in class.

• WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION: HISTORY OF ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE NEAR EAST (Jan. 9-13)
  Reading: AE: Chapter 11 & Chapter 1

• WEEK 2: ARHCAEOLOGICAL FOCI: MATERIAL CULTURE AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD (Jan. 16-20)
  Reading: AE: Chapter 2

• WEEK 3: FINDING SITES: SURVEY ARCHAEOLOGY I (Jan. 23-27)
  Reading: AE: Chapter 3: pp. 60-91

• WEEK 4: SURVEY ARCHAEOLOGY II (Jan. 30- Feb. 3)  

In-Class Exam 1: Thursday, Feb. 2

• WEEK 5: DIGGING IN: EXCAVATION TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES I (Feb. 6-10)
  Reading : AE: Chapter 3: pp. 92-103

• WEEK 6: EXCAVATION II (Feb. 13-17)

Reading Week (No classes Feb 20-24)

• WEEK 7: RECORDING (Feb. 27 – Mar. 2)

• WEEK 8: DATING: RECOVERING THE TEMPORAL DIMENSION (Mar. 5-9)

Reading : AE: Chapter 4            In-Class Exam 2: Thursday, March 8

• WEEK 9: ANALYZING ARTIFACTS (Mar. 12-16)
  Reading : AE: Chapter 7

• WEEK 10: ANALYZING PLANT, ANIMAL, & HUMAN REMAINS (Mar. 19-23)
  Reading : AE: Chapter 6 & Chapter 8

• WEEK 11: INTERPRETING THE PAST IN THE PRESENT (Mar. 26-30)
  Reading : AE: Chapter 10

• WEEK 12: PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE (Apr. 2 - 5)
  Reading : AE: Chapter 11 & Chapter 12

Suggested Readings

Tips on Writing a Slide Test

Dig Tips

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Electronic Devices in the Classroom

The Department of Classics believes that maintaining an atmosphere of respect and consideration in the classroom is an important part of the pursuit of free intellectual enquiry. The use of electronic devices in the classroom can be disruptive to both the instructor and to other students, and thus we are introducing guidelines on their use. These guidelines will follow the procedure explained in Section 14 of the Student Code of Conduct and are in force starting January 2011:

1. Non-course related use of electronic devices (e.g. playing games, watching movies, social networking and texting), including smartphones, tablets and laptops, is regarded by the Department of Classics as disruptive pursuant to Section 14 of the Student Code of Conduct. The use of these devices may be restricted at the discretion of the instructor;
2. In some courses in CLST, LATN or GREK laptops may not be permitted. You will be told in class by your instructor if this is the case. If the use of laptops is permitted, please understand that their use is restricted to note-taking;
3. The use of recording devices for lectures is not allowed unless you have requested and been given the express permission of the instructor of the course.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is constituted by the five core fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility (see www.academicintegrity.org). These values are central to the building, nurturing and sustaining of an academic community in which all members of the community will thrive. Adherence to the values expressed through academic integrity forms a foundation for the "freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas" essential to the intellectual life of the University (see the Senate Report on Principles and Prioritieshttp://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senateandtrustees/principlespriorities.html).

Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the regulations concerning academic integrity and for ensuring that their assignments conform to the principles of academic integrity. Information on academic integrity is available in the Arts and Science Calendar (see Academic Regulation 1 http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/academic-calendars/2011-2012-calendar/academic-regulations/regulation-1), on the Arts and Science website (see http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/academics/undergraduate/academic-integrity), and from the instructor of this course. Departures from academic integrity include plagiarism, use of unauthorized materials, facilitation, forgery and falsification, and are antithetical to the development of an academic community at Queen's. Given the seriousness of these matters, actions which contravene the regulation on academic integrity carry sanctions that can range from a warning or the loss of grades on an assignment to the failure of a course to a requirement to withdraw from the university.

Download the  Statement on Academic Integrity for Inclusion in Course Syllabi and Assignments  [PDF]

Copyright

The material on this website is copyrighted and is for the sole use of students registered in CLST 129. The material on this website may be downloaded for a registered student’s personal use, but shall not be distributed or disseminated to anyone other than students registered in CLST 129.  Failure to abide by these conditions is a breach of copyright, and may also constitute a breach of academic integrity under the University Senate’s Academic Integrity Policy Statement.

 

This page was last updated 05 January, 2012.