Battlefield Archaeology

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

The teaching of this course is based on theoretical and theoretical-practical classes, supported by iconographic materials, analysis of texts, group work, readings and individual work, with the presentation and discussion of topics arising from those works

Learning Outcomes

Introducing the many dimensions of Battlefield Archaeology: methods and techniques for an archaeological approach to both historically documented and undocumented battlefields; Public Archaeology and the use of data collected from battlefield archaeology.

The student should be able to understand the main techniques of archaeological field survey, the methods to approach historical battlefields using different sources, the uses of historical battlefields as didactic spaces in the context of Public Archaeology.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Basic notions on Field Archaeology.

2. Survey methods and techniques of field archaeology for studying historical battlefields.

3. Studying ancient battlefields, both known and “unknown.”

3.1. Using the archaeological record to identify and put into historical context “unknown” ancient battlefields (using some case studies).

3.2. The archaeological approach to historically known battlefields, using different sources – texts, images and archaeological artefacts – discussion of some case studies.

3.3.Understanding ancient battles from the archaeological record.

4. Using old battlefields as didactic areas for Public Archaeology – presentation and discussion of examples from different countries and historical periods.

Assessment Methods

Assessement
Research work: 100.0%

Bibliography

1. RENFREW, C. / BAHN, P. (1991) - Archaeology. Theories and Methods, London, Thames and Hudson

2. Short Guide to Field Survey, Field Walking and Detecting Survey. November 2006 (revised edition). British Archaeological Job Resources Guides, 15.

http://www.scribd.com/full/453840?access_key=845u2uub68yfv

3. SUTHERLAND, T. / HOLST, M. (2005) Battlefield archaeology: a guide to the archaeology of conflict. Bradford: University of Bradford. British Archaeological Job Resources Guides, 8.

http://www.bajr.org/documents/bajrbattleguide.pdf

4. Parques arqueológicos em antigos campos de batalha:

http://archaeology.about.com/od/battlefieldsites/Battlefield_Sites_and_Archaeology.htm