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Overview

Advanced practical study of archaeological excavation and laboratory processing.

The aim of this paper is to provide students with practical experience in archaeological excavation and in post-excavation laboratory procedures. The coursework component involves participation in a three-week field school during which time staff will provide students with training in a wide range of field methods, and in the use of field equipment. After the excavation has been completed, students will attend laboratory sessions and will complete a laboratory-based project relating to the excavation.

About this paper

Paper title Archaeological Excavation
Subject Anthropology
EFTS 0.1667
Points 20 points
Teaching period 1st Non standard period (30 January 2026 - 26 June 2026) (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,627.83
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
ANTH 208 or ARCH 201 and 72 300-level ANTH or ARCH points
Restriction
ARCH 401
Limited to
BA(Hons), PGDipArts, MA(Coursework), MArchP
Notes
Students intending to enrol must contact the Department by 16 December. Attendance at a field school in February is compulsory.
Eligibility

Designed for advanced students of archaeology.

To enrol, contact us by 6th December.

Contact

anne.ford@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Anne Ford

Contributing Lecturer: Dr Charles Radclyffe

Teaching Arrangements

There is a three-week long field school during February where practical field methods in archaeological excavation are taught. Laboratory methods relating to excavation are taught during the semester.

Textbooks

There are no textbooks for this paper but a reading list is provided in the Course Outline.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Cultural understanding, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will:

  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the techniques and methods of the systematic recording and recovery for archaeological artefacts and features through excavation
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the methods of laboratory documentation and analysis of excavated archaeological artefact assemblages
  • Demonstrate an ability to communicate the process and findings of an archaeological excavation in written form

Overview

Advanced practical study of archaeological excavation and laboratory processing.

The aim of this paper is to provide students with practical experience in archaeological excavation and in post-excavation laboratory procedures. The coursework component involves participation in a two-week field school during which time staff will provide students with training in a wide range of field methods, and in the use of field equipment. After the excavation has been completed, students will attend laboratory sessions and will complete a laboratory-based project relating to the excavation.

About this paper

Paper title Archaeological Excavation
Subject Anthropology
EFTS 0.1667
Points 20 points
Teaching period 1st Non standard period (8 February 2027 - 19 June 2027) (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
ANTH 208 or ARCH 201 and 72 300-level ANTH or ARCH points
Restriction
ARCH 401
Limited to
BA(Hons), PGDipArts, MA(Coursework), MArchP
Notes
Students intending to enrol must contact the Department by 16 December. Attendance at a field school in February is compulsory.
Eligibility

This paper has been designed to be suitable for advanced students of archaeology. To enrol, contact us by 6 December.

Contact

Dr Zac McIvor

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Dr Zac McIvor

Lecturer: Dr Charles Radclyffe

Teaching Arrangements

There is a two-week long field school during February where practical field methods in archaeological excavation are taught. Laboratory methods relating to excavation are taught during the semester.

Textbooks

There are no textbooks for this paper but a reading list is provided in the course outline.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Cultural understanding, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will:

  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the techniques and methods of the systematic recording and recovery for archaeological artefacts and features through excavation.
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the methods of laboratory documentation and analysis of excavated archaeological artefact assemblages.
  • Demonstrate an ability to communicate the process and findings of an archaeological excavation in written form.
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