ARCH07069 2023 The Archaeology of Death
The Archaeology of Death course examines the varied aspects of the human experience of life's only certainty - death - as identified within the archaeological record. The module is not period specific, but rather the themes chosen will draw on different periods in time from various regions around the globe as well as from ethnography. The main objectives are to consider the complexities of how the dead are treated and to recognise certain potential similarities in symbolism. These complexities can found within the funerary record and themes and topics such as liminality, grave goods, cremation, inhumation, gender and age are some of the aspects of death that will be explored.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Demonstrate knowledge of different attitudes and beliefs concerning death as evidenced by the archaeological record
Demonstrate familiarity with anthropological and archaeological approaches to death
Express archaeological data and ideas concerning death through written format
Teaching and Learning Strategies
This module will be delivered by online learning.
Powerpoint lectures will contain illustrations and text.
Reading material in the form of pdf's, open access and library resources will be supplied to the course participants.
Class notes will be available of each lecture
Module Assessment Strategies
Case Studies and Essays
Assessments will be designed to minimise opportunities for plagiarism and for inappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence. Where appropriate, suitable detection software will be used
Repeat Assessments
Repeat assignment
Indicative Syllabus
Demonstrate knowledge of different attitudes and beliefs concerning death as evidenced by the archaeological record: Grave-goods, status and society; gender and age, and ideas on monumentality and places for the dead.
Demonstrate familiarity with anthropological and archaeological approaches to death: Exploration of anthropological aspects of death, ritual theory, rites of passage and liminality, and tomb morphologies.
Express archaeological data and ideas concerning death through written format: Through essay writing and participation in class discussions.
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Essay 1 | Coursework Assessment | Essay | 50 % | Week 12 | 1,2 |
2 | Essay 2 | Coursework Assessment | Essay | 50 % | Week 13 | 1,2,3 |
Online Learning Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lecture | Online | Lecture | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
Independent Learning | Online | Independent learning | 5 | Weekly | 5.00 |
Required & Recommended Book List
The Archaeology of Death and Burial Stroud
The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of Death and Burial Oxford University Press
20/12/2022 The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of Ritual and Religion Oxford University Press
Module Resources
Further reading and references will be supplied to the participants by the tutor.