The archaeology of Britain is a topic that intercuts almost all areas of enquiry, from human origins studies, later prehistory, Roman and Classical archaeology, and medieval archaeology.

This course will introduce you to chronologies and key concepts, such as ‘identity’, ‘power’, ‘the body’, ‘settlement’ and ‘performance’, as a means to engage with archaeology from the last 800,000 years. You will study the motivations and methods of making things, places and people. The module not only presents the theoretical principles and methods of analysis for studying archaeology, but also presents these alongside plentiful and detailed case studies.

• recognise and describe a range of archaeological evidence from the British Isles
• relate this material to major themes and concepts (e.g. settlement, identity) in the study of these geographical locations from the earliest occupants to the Medieval period
• explain the evidence with reference to modern interpretations and theories
• identify changes over time or compare the different societies that lived in the British Isles
• discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed

• recognise and describe a range of archaeological evidence from the British Isles
• relate this material to major themes and concepts (e.g. settlement, identity) in the study of these geographical locations from the earliest occupants to the Medieval period
• explain the evidence with reference to modern interpretations and theories
• identify changes over time or compare the different societies that lived in the British Isles and Ireland
• discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed

• assimilating and synthesising complex information and ideas
• observation and visual analysis
• critical thinking skills, such as analysing and evaluating evidence, critiquing interpretations or arguments, and challenging assumptions
• constructing and defending arguments based on evidence
• clear, accurate and effective communication of ideas and arguments in writing and in debate
• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of archaeological evidence
• bibliographic and referencing skills
• team-working and contributing to group discussions
• using IT resources effectively
• independent working and time management

The module will be assessed through a 2000-word essay (50%) and an exam consisting of one essay question and one picture question, weighted 70:30 (50%).

The essay and exam questions will require knowledge and critical deployment of evidence and an awareness of modern scholarship to answer questions and construct arguments relating to British archaeology from 800,000 years ago to the medieval period.

In the picture question that forms part of the exam, three artefacts, structures or sites will be set (10 marks each). Students will be asked to comment on all three images and assess their significance, thus deploying their knowledge of the archaeological evidence and interpretations of it. The images will be selected from the material discussed in the seminars.

• British archaeology from 800,000 years ago to the medieval period: geography; modern approaches; prehistory; writing and the state; temples, monumentality and religion; settlements and urbanism; performance and art; the creation of Britannia; farming and the economy; gender; death and burial.

Bradley, R. 2007. The Prehistory of Britain and Ireland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Carroll, J., Harrison, S. and Williams, G. 2014. The Vikings in Britain and Ireland. London: The British Museum Press.

Conneller, C. and Warren, G. 2006. Mesolithic Britain and Ireland: New Approaches. London: The History Press.

Gerrard, C. 2003. Medieval Archaeology: Understanding Traditions and Contemporary Approaches. London: Routledge.

Hunter, J. and Ralston, I.B.M. 1999. The Archaeology of Britain: An Introduction from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Industrial Revolution. London: Routledge.

Hobbs, R. and Jackson, R. 2010. Roman Britain: Life at the Edge of Empire. London: British Museum.

Salway, P. 2002. Roman Britain: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Laing, L. 2006. The Archaeology of Celtic Britain and Ireland c. AD 400–1200. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Jones, R. and Page, M. 2006. Medieval Villages in an English Landscape. Windgather: Macclesfield.

Parker Pearson, M. 1993. Bronze Age Britain. London: Batsford Ltd.

Pettitt, P. and White, M. 2012. The British Palaeolithic: Human Societies at the Edge of the Pleistocene World. London: Routledge.

Stringer, C. 2007. Homo Britannicus: The Incredible Story of Human Life in Britain. London: Penguin.

See the module handout for the full reading list.