The main goal of this course is to recognize the different methods and techniques of work discipline in the field or in laboratory, and also synthesis. Unlike the more theoretical subjects that are taught in our area in the first two courses, in this sciences related to the prehistory (such as the archaeobotany, the zooarchaeology, anthropology, the radiocronology...) are studied, evaluating their real possibilities. For that purpose already published case studies are reviewed. It is a link with other subjects developed by the Prehistory Area.

M06CM02 Learn the basic methods of historical research, showing ability to locate, obtain, organize and analyze different types of documents and sources of information

M06CM03 Learn specific techniques to read, study, interpret and evaluate original historical documents, using if necessary the epigraphy and palaeography, or other science and historiographic techniques

M06CM04 Be capable of reading and analyzing archaeological sources

M06CM05 Use ICTs as tools to access sources of information, treat them and organize them

M06CM6 Present either orally or in writing essays and historical research, especially caring for the records of the language and the use of ICTs.

M06CM07 Recognise the major historiographical trends, its relationship with the culture of each historical epoch and its use in applied research

M06CM08 learn to work in a team

1. Prehistory as science: its limits and contents.

1.1. Evolution of prehistoric research.

1.2. The legal framework of the archaeological activities. Research, management, conservation, and the prehistoric heritage



2. Field work

2.1.The prehistoric sites. Typology, processes of formation and evolution

2.2. Detection methods and prospecting of archaeological sites

2.3. Archaeological assessment of the registration methods: pits.

2.4. The excavation. General approach. Equipment and data control. Development of the excavation and their registration. The sampling. Measures of consolidation and conservation of the sites and their remains.

2.5. The cross-sections of the deposits.



3. Laboratory work

3.1. Analysis of sediments from the geoclimatic perspective, chemistry and other

3.2. Reconstruction of environment through the Archaeobotany (Palynology, anthracology, carpology) and zooarchaeology.

3.3. The anthropological studies. Physical anthropology, genetic analyses, paleopathology etc.

3.4. Classification and types of material culture. Basic principles and statistical applications.

3.5. New lines of research in archaeometry.



4. Dating methods.

4.1 The relative chronology

4.2. The absolute chronology



5-Results

5.1. The graphic documentation

5.2. Scientific publications

In accordance with the spirit of "Bologna" and in attention to practical and theoretical credit relationship, an active teaching is developed. Thus, the material in lectures and practices (laboratory, visit museums or archaeological sites), will be developed by students through continuous work, carried out individually or in groups in a collaborative way, and exposed in class.

This method, plus the consideration of the practical activities such as nuclear for the monitoring and evaluation of the subject, implies that the student must be present in classes and has to participate in the activities proposed to be evaluated.

However, a final exam will qualify students who do not meet the minimum requirements that require the continuous active didactics.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 25
  • Individual works (%): 25
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 25
  • Exhibition of works, readings ... (%): 25

There will be two evaluation options:

Option 1: the students who follow a continuous assessment, i.e. have an assistance to the classroom without faults (or at least about two thirds of the stipulated hours), take an active participation at the challenges (reviews of texts, analysis of material), that leads to good term requested works, make a correct exposure of the same and demonstrate a collaborative attitude within its working group, will be progressively qualified. A final test written, concerning any matter on the content, will be compulsory for those students who aren't approved and optional for those who having approved the subject in the continuous evaluation want to improve their marks. The final score does not necessarily will match with the global final exam, since the request of the work required throughout the course shall be taken into account.

All students can, according to the regulations, renounce to the assessment by the mixed procedure presenting a writing to the teacher responsible of the subject before the last month of the four-month period.



Option 2: students that do not develop a continuous assessment, or that are evaluated negatively, will have option to a written final test where will solve issues related to the content.

The extraordinary call will be rated by a single written test where questions related with the content must be solved, particularly related with those points more developed throughout the course.

Basic bibliography

Bahn, P. 2000. Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Burke, H., Smith, C. (1994). The Archaeologist’s Field Handbook

Gamble, C. (2014). Archaeology: the basics. Routledge.

GARCÍA-DIEZ, M y ZAPATA, L., (2013) Métodos y Técnicas de Análisis y Estudio en Arqueología prehistórica. UPV / EHU. ISBN: 978-84-9860-855-7.

Greene, K., Moore, T. (2010). Archaeology: an Introdution. Routledge.

RENFREW, C. y BAHN, P. (2016): Ar Archaeology Theories, Methods, and Practice. Thames & Hudson

In-depth bibliography

MISKOVSKY, J.C. (dir.) Géologie de la Préhistoire. Méthodes, techniques, applications. Ed. Géopré, París. 1987
VanDerwarker, A. M., Peres, T.M. (2010). Integrating Zooarchaeology and Paleoethnobotany. Springer.
VV.AA. (2014). Animal Bones and Archaeology. English Heritage.
VV.AA. (2015). Geoarchaeology. Using Earth sciences to understand the archaeological record. English Heritage.