Archaeology: from Dig to Lab and Beyond (FutureLearn)

An excavation is more than just digging with a trowel. You’ll investigate how and where to dig, collect, record and store precious finds and take a closer look at what you can learn from a discovery once you’ve found it.

One of the most intriguing finds of all is a burial site and you’ll examine the archaeological methods employed in the study of the dead. How can you recreate the life, health and occupation of an individual just from their skeletal remains?

What topics will you cover?

Week 1: The Dig

Week 2: The Lab

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

- Explain how an archaeological dig works, from the planning stages, through excavation, to the analysis and storage of artefacts

- Summarise the basic characteristics of all archaeological periods from the Mesolithic to the post-medieval period (c.8000 BC–AD 1900)

- Describe the main ways in which archaeologists analyse human skeletons

- Debate some of the key issues facing archaeology today

- Understand the transferable skills you will acquire from studying archaeology

Who is the course for?

No prior experience of archaeology is needed. This course is designed for anyone interested in studying an archaeology degree at university. However, anyone with an enthusiastic interest in archaeology is very welcome to join us too.