Introduction to Archaeology

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical classes using theoretical explanation with critical analysis of texts and other records of archaeological work, using appropriate audio-visuals teaching materials. Possibility of integrating interventions performed by students that will give rise to thematic debates. 

Learning Outcomes

Theorical class that introduces the history, concepts, work mechanisms and interdisciplinarity of the archaeological practice, tracking its growth from the collecting stage to the deep theoretical debate that is currently facing.

It is intended that students can:

1.Perceive the conceptual outlines of the scientific field and corresponding chronological phasing.

2.Fit the epistemological questions in the historical line of archaeological thought.

3.Apprehend its subject (s), its methods, work techniques and research perspectives.

4.Understand the link between the archaeological scientific field and other sciences.

5.Understand the social reach of archaeological knowledge and the requirement to transfer it to the community.

6.Achieve critical awareness in terms of identity, linked to the exercise of citizenship.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Archeology as a science

1.1. Presentation of the archeology (ies)

1.2. Archeology in the context of social and exact sciences and nature

1.3. Main concepts and periodizations

2. Evolution of archaeological thought

2.1. For a general history of Archaeology

2.2. Theoretical currents: from historical-culturalist archeology to current neomaterialism

2.3. For a history of Archeology in Portugal

3. From remains to practice

3.1. The different types of archaeological remains

3.2. Field and office work

3.2.1. The detection of archaeological remains

3.2.2. Archaeological survey, registration and documentation

3.3 Underwater archeology.

3.4 The post-excavation: from the archaeological record to the dissemination of results and their social valorization

4. The inter and intradisciplinary dimension of Archaeology

4.1. Time and archeology: dating.

4.2. Dialogue with archeosciences

4.3. Ethics in archeology.

Head Lecturer(s)

Armando José Mariano Redentor

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Frequency: 60.0%

Bibliography

ALARCÃO, J.; BARROCA, M., coord. Dicionário de Arqueologia Portuguesa, Porto, 2012

BAHN, P., Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford, 2012

BATE, L., El proceso de investigación en Arqueología, Barcelona, 1998

FABIÃO, C., Uma História da Arqueologia em Portugal, Lisboa, 2011

GONZÁLEZ RUIBAL, A.; AYÁN VILA, X., Arqueología: una introducción al estudio de la materialidad del passado, Madrid, 2018

GREENE, K.; MOORE, T., Archaeology: An Introduction, 5th ed., London-New York, 2010

JOHNSON, M., Archaeological Theory: An Introduction, 3rd ed. Chichester, 2020

MATEUS, J.; MORENO-GARCÍA, M., eds., Paleoecologia Humana e Arqueociências (Trabalhos de Arqueologia 29), Lisboa, 2003

MOBERG, C.-A., Introdução à Arqueologia, Lisboa, 1981

RENFREW, C.; BAHN, P., Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice, 7th ed., London, 2016

TRIGGER, B. G., A History of Archaeological Thought, Cambridge, 1989.