URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_AABAARC107

Course Objective

At the end of this course, students:Have knowledge of the history, foundations and core concepts of environmental archaeology and ecological archaeologyCan explain geological and soil science processes which are formative to the physical landscape and to distinguish between natural and human causes of these changesAre able to describe how different food economies are distinguished in archaeology and how those economies have affected the landscapeAre able to interpret sources, methods and techniques used by ecological archaeology to recognize the most important physical characteristics of animal and plant remains.

Course Content

Environmental Archaeology as a discipline studies the interaction between humans and their environment in the past. It focuses on the reconstruction of the environment in its broadest sense (landscape, flora, fauna and climate), and the changes therein, and uses the abiotic and biotic components found in geological sediments, soils and archaeological deposits as its source material. While the focus is on the relationship between human settlement and its environment, environmental archaeology always puts man centre stage: it studies how the physical landscape put limits and constraints on human settlement, and, vice versa, how the natural environment was changed by human intervention and exploitation of it. In this course you will be introduced to the methods and theories used in this field of archaeology and learn how to put them to use to answer questions on the interrelationship between humans and their environment. In this course, four aspects of the interrelationship between humans and their environment will be discussed:Natural and human-induced processes in the formation of the landscape;Spatial imaging of the landscape: the use of maps;Plants and animals in the landscape and their exploitation;Humans in the landscape: environmental reconstruction and food economy.

Teaching Methods

There will be 2 x 3 contact hours each week. Most of the classes have a practical component, for which attendance is mandatory. Classes consist of interactive lectures which introduce the course topics, and practicals which are aimed at:training you to use maps (topographic, soil, geomorphological, and archaeological prospection maps);offering you a first introduction to the determination of ecological remains (analysis of plants and bones);writing and presenting a short natural landscape reference paper

Method of Assessment

The students will be assessed by presentations (35%), contributions to practical assessments (20%), and map exercises (20%). A final exam will conclude the course (25%). The resit regulations will be specified in the study manual.

Literature

Renfrew & Bahn
- Archaeology, Theories, Methods and Practice, 6th edition or more recent:chapter 4: When? Dating Methods and Chronologychapter 6: What was the Environment. Environmental Archaeologychapter 7: What did they eat? Subsistence and DietAdditional study materials will be available via Canvas.

Target Audience

First year bachelor students of archeology.

Custom Course Registration

First year ACASA students are automatically placed. Other students can register for this course via UvA https://glass.uva.nlVU students who would like to follow this course as an elective need to request a guest registration at the UvA. See for more information: https://www.uva.nl/en/education/other-programmes/electives/electives.html Please note:Course registration periods between VU and UvA differ.This course is scheduled at the University of Amsterdam.

Additional Information

This course is part of a joined programme by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and the University of Amsterdam (UvA). It is taught at a UvA location. For the course schedule see https://rooster.uva.nl/

Explanation Canvas

Weekly overviews, discussion forums and assignments will be availablevia Canvas.
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level6.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Bachelor