What will I be studying?
The course is taught through three termly units, each with its own topic. Each term consists of 4 Saturday day schools.
Unit 1: Osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology
Dr Corinne Duhig
Teaching dates: Saturday 13 October, 10 November, 24 November and 8 December 2018
This unit will cover the theoretical and practical aspects of osteoarchaeology. Students will learn how to record human bones and produce an anthropological profile for an osteology report. These sessions are interleaved with lectures and discussions setting the specialism in context: its integration into field and research archaeology and funerary studies and the ethical aspects of working with human remains.
Unit 2: Life and Death in the Ancient Mediterranean
Dr Isabelle Vella Gregory
Teaching dates: Saturday 12 January, 2 February, 23 February and 23 March 2019
The Mediterranean's rich archaeological record has preserved major moments in human history. This course explores life and death via key themes: the transition from Mesolithic hunting and gathering, seafaring, Neolithic farming, mobility, sedentism, the first cities, burials and monuments. Regional case studies will show how major trends are transformed by people in light of their life and environment.
Unit 3: Unwrapping the dead: funerary archaeology in Ancient Egypt
Dr Corinne Duhig
Teaching dates: Saturday 4 May, 25 May, 15 June and 6 July 2019
The funerary customs of the ancient Egyptians articulated their varied concepts of the soul and the afterlife, and mechanisms to ensure a smooth transition to the afterlife and a secure survival in it included mummification, the form and equipping of the tomb, funerary texts and the ritual of the funeral itself. Archaeology, anthropology and texts are combined to illustrate how these mechanisms were used and how far the actual differed from the ideal.
What can I go on to do?
If you wish, you can develop your studies in this subject by taking a second Undergraduate Diploma in Archaeology. There are three complementary pathways at Diploma level. These can be studied independently of each other, and in any order. Undergraduate Diploma in Archaeology: Conflict, History and Heritage (previously called Diploma in Archaeology II) includes units on osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology, prehistoric archaeology, and historic or classical archaeology. Undergraduate Diploma in Archaeology: Methods and Practice (previously called Diploma in Archaeology III) offers a practical, hands-on qualification, enabling you to develop specialist skills as an archaeologist, preparing you to practise in the field. Please see part-time qualifications in Archaeology for more information about the various courses.
Credit awarded by the Institute may also be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However the volume of credit and the curriculum which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
