Ancient History and Archaeology BA Jt Hons

This module deals with the archaeology of life and death in all its complexity and diversity. You will learn about the major archaeological discoveries that have fundamentally changed our interpretations of past peoples. We also look at the personalities and ideologies that have shaped our discipline, noting how changing perspectives on gender, ethnicity and class have in turn shaped our ideas about the past. The module then turns to the archaeology of death – since, paradoxically, this can tell us a huge amount about the living. The cultural and scientific study of human remains will give you insights into past diets, social status, health and attitudes towards different members of society, while the study of burial practices and rituals cast light on the structure of human societies and their beliefs, from prehistory to the modern era.

This module provides a wide ranging interdisciplinary introduction to the history, literature and art of the Greek World from c.1600-31 BC; that is from the Bronze Age to becoming part of the Roman Empire. As well as examining all the major chapters of Greece's history from the Mycenaean Period and the Dark Ages, to the rise of the polis in the Archaic period, to the height of Greek civilisation in the Classical and Hellenistic periods, and finally its conquest and absorption into the Roman Empire, it also explores synchronous developments in Greek literary and artistic culture, and considers aspects of the reception of ancient Greece in modern western culture. This module will also examine the relationship of the Greek world to the Roman World, and will be complemented by the Spring semester module Studying the Roman World. No prior knowledge of the Greek world is assumed.

This module provides a wide-ranging interdisciplinary introduction to the history, literature and art of the Roman world from the beginnings of the city of Rome to the fall of the Roman Empire in the West. As well as examining all the major chapters of Rome's history such as the Roman Republic, the rise of the empire, the establishment of the Principate, and the fall of Rome, it also explores synchronous developments in Roman literary and artistic culture, and considers aspects of the reception of ancient Rome in modern western culture. This module will also examine the relationship of the Roman world to the Greek world, and will complement the Autumn semester module Studying the Greek World by continuing training in a number of basic study skills. No prior knowledge of the Roman world is assumed. 

This module provides a broad overview of the archaeology of the British Isles from the earliest humans until the industrial revolution. By focusing on Britain as a ‘time core’, and drilling down through the past in a single geographical region, the aim of this module is to provide students with a clear understanding of the dynamics of cultural change as well as introducing you to all the important sites and discoveries that are on their doorstep. Core themes explored throughout the year are: the Palaeolithic including the earliest colonisation of the British Isles, Neanderthals and the impact of the Ice Ages; the arrival of fully modern humans; the transition from hunting and gathering to farming (Mesolithic to earlier Neolithic); the development of increased complexity in society and ritual life during the later Neolithic and Early Bronze Age; the emergence of new social and settlement forms from the Middle Bronze Age to the Iron Age; the Roman invasion and military and civilian life in the Roman province of Britannia; Anglo-Saxon and Viking incursions and settlement; medieval castles, towns and monasteries; the impact of the Reformation and the growth of the Tudor state; and, the role of industry and urbanisation in the making of modern Britain.

Archaeologists are interested in all aspects of the human past, from ancient landscapes and changing environments, buried settlements and standing monuments and structures, to material objects and evidence for diet, trade, ritual and social life. This module provides a basic introduction to the discipline of archaeology, the process by which the material remains of the past are discovered, analysed and used to provide evidence for human societies from prehistory to the present day. The autumn semester introduces the historical development of the subject, followed by a presentation of current theory and practice in the areas of archaeological prospection and survey, excavation and post-excavation analysis, relative and absolute dating, the study of archaeological artefacts, and frameworks of social interpretation. In the spring semester, you will be taken into the field to gain practical experience of core archaeological methods in field survey and buildings archaeology. By the end of the module, we hope that you will have developed a good understanding of the concepts used in archaeology, the questions asked and methods applied in investigating the evidence

This module provides you with an overview of the archaeology of the British Isles from the earliest humans until the eve of the Roman conquest. Many of the key developments in human history occur during this long period of prehistory, and teaching will concentrate on these episodes, using important sites and discoveries. The module covers the Palaeolithic including the earliest colonisation of the British Isles, Neanderthals and the impact of the Ice Ages, the arrival of fully modern humans, the transition from hunting and gathering to farming (Mesolithic to earlier Neolithic), the development of increased complexity in society and ritual life during the later Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, and the emergence of new social and settlement forms from the Middle Bronze Age to the Iron Age.

This module explores Greek and Roman art in detail and it aims is to give students a broad overview of visual material from classical antiquity, whilst concentrating on a cross-section of the most famous and talked about objects and monuments of Greek and Roman culture. More specifically, it offers an introduction to sculpture in the public and private sphere, vase-painting, numismatics, architecture and urban structures from 8th century BC Greece to the 4th century AD Rome. The module covers the Greek world in Autumn and the Roman world in Spring. Rather than proceeding chronologically, the material is organised by themes and media, starting with topography, then sculpture, vase painting etc. This is meant to give students a grasp of formal and stylistic developments within each of these media through the centuries, along with the meanings attached to them.

This full-year module is devoted specifically to the history of the ancient world, and investigates some of its major themes and approaches through a series of historical case studies. The range of topics introduces students to important historical issues from the major periods of Greek and Roman history, with an emphasis on the methodological questions raised by the relevant ancient source material and on the modern debates about those issues. As a result, students should gain a more detailed knowledge of important topics in ancient history, a clearer understanding of the evidential basis on which ancient historians rely, and some appreciation of how contemporary preoccupations can influence the perspectives of modern practitioners of the discipline and generate vigorous debate between them.

This module will introduce students to the interpretation of ancient literary texts (in translation) as sources for ancient culture, by focusing on a representative range of texts and themes. The module will address issues such as ancient performance-contexts and audiences, the workings of genres, analysis of rhetoric and literary style, representations of gender and sexuality, study of classical reception, and how to compare translations. The focus will be on Greek texts in autumn and Latin texts in spring.

This module provides an introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of classical Greek; no previous knowledge is assumed. Emphasis is placed on acquiring the ability to read Greek; the basis of the course is the study and translation of passages adapted from classical Greek texts.

This module provides an introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of Latin; no previous knowledge is assumed. Emphasis is placed on acquiring the ability to analyse and understand basic Latin sentences and short passages.

The excitement of discovery and research is the foundation of everything we do as archaeologists. This module is aimed at helping you to develop more advanced research skills and to discover how we interpret archaeological evidence from multiple different perspectives. Here we explore how changes in the wider social and theoretical landscape have affected archaeological understanding through time. You will be introduced to the concepts and methods that you will put into practice in your third year dissertation or independent project, and learn how to develop a research proposal. The teaching is delivered in a mix of lectures, class workshops and research skills sessions.

This module is your opportunity to expand your knowledge of an aspect of Classics or Archaeology which interests you, and to experiment with methods of communicating that knowledge which take you beyond the usual assessment practices of essays and exams. You might undertake research that leads to (for example) the creation of a museum exhibition, the reconstruction of an ancient artefact, or the design of a new public engagement strategy for a historic site. You might acquire experience of a communication method which could be of use to you in a future career, e.g. by constructing an education pack, writing in a journalistic style, or creating an archaeological site management plan. You might choose to experiment with a different medium of communication such as video, website or phone app. The topic and form of the project chosen must both be approved by the module convener. This module is ideal for any student who is interested in pursuing a career in heritage, museums or education, while developing skills in research, project design and communication are essential for a wide range of career choices as well as being excellent preparation for your third-year dissertation.

Doing archaeology underwater is one of the most challenging but exciting contexts in which we work! This module will provide you with a broad introduction to current methods and practice of Underwater Archaeology. The module explores themes such as shipwrecks, submerged cities and sunken harbours, lake dwelling and freshwater archaeology, using case studies ranging in space from Scandinavia to Australia and in time from 1500 BC to the last century. It tackles the varied techniques of underwater excavation, finds processing and conservation, and the issue of cultural resource management vs. treasure hunting.

This module considers the archaeological evidence for the development of British and European societies and their connections around the Mediterranean, Africa and across Eurasia in the medieval period (from c. AD 500-1500). This was a period of significant social, political, economic and climate change which laid the foundations of the modern world. . Key topics will include in-depth analysis of themes such as the transformation of European and Mediterranean landscapes and settlement patterns from the Fall of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance; the towns of western Europe, Byzantium and the Islamic world; the impact of climate change, epidemic disease and population growth; the rise of kingdoms, states and empires; and the development of nearly global trade networks in Europe, Africa and Asia, between AD 500 and 1500 that would culminate in permanent European settlement in the Americas. The lectures and seminars will explore interdisciplinary approaches to the examination  of these topics and what they can tell us about social and economic change, ideologies and social identities over 1000 years of human history. 

This module considers the archaeology of England from the end of the Roman occupation until the Norman conquest. You will explore the question of the Romano-British survival and the formation of new Anglo-Saxon societies, evidence of pagan beliefs and the conversion to Christianity; on the development of town and rural settlement patterns, on the role of the church in society and on the Viking incursions and Danish impact on England. 

What can we learn from the human skeleton and how can we tell the stories of past people from their bones? In this module you will handle real archaeological skeletons and learn how to identify their age, sex, stature and pathologies, and how we can reconstruct past populations from burial evidence. We also consider the skeleton in terms of human evolution, examining the anatomical differences between human and non-human primates, as well as the archaeology and life ways of our earliest ancestors. 

This module explores the reception of ancient Greek and Roman culture in modern popular media such as films, theatre, novels, museums, architecture, children's literature and comics, and sets out to reach an understanding of how these receptions influence the way Greek and Roman culture is approached, used, and questioned. Lectures may focus on any of the following: classical education from the 19th century to the present, the influences of the Classics on the production and content of modern literature, the establishment of museums, use and abuse of the Classics in political and philosophical debate, their role on the theatre stage as well as in film and other visual media (television, computer, games, comics, pop music). 

This module is designed to develop your skills of research, analysis and written presentation as preparation for a third year dissertation in classical civilisation. You will write a 5,000 word essay chosen from a range of topics, each focusing on a single piece of ancient source material. You will be provided with a topic for investigation, starter bibliography and tips on how to approach the question. The questions will suggest a range of possible approaches, from evaluation of historical source material to exploration of literary effects, relationships with other material, discussion of context or reception. For this module you will have a mixture of lectures and four 2-hour seminars over a period of 10 weeks.

Justinian is often seen as the last great Roman emperor. This module investigates his achievements (e.g. the reconquest of north Africa from the Vandals and of Italy from the Goths, the construction of the magnificent Hagia Sophia) and the upheavals that beset his reign (e.g. the Nika riot, the great bubonic plague of the 540's). His infamous wife, Theodora, also receives attention, as does the broader interaction of classical continuities and Christian influences in society and culture during a time of momentous change for the Mediterranean world.

This module focuses on the history and development of the scholarship on ancient Greece and Rome and on specific theories, approaches and methods used by modern scholarship. The aim is to sharpen your engagement with and understanding of scholarship, and to give a deeper appreciation of the ways the ancient world has been appropriated. Studying the history of scholarship in its socio-political context will show you how the questions we ask depend on the situations we live in; it will also allow you to judge the merits and limitations of scholarly approaches and will develop your skills of research and analysis, as preparation for your third-year dissertation. As with the Extended Source Study, you will choose a work-sheet relating to an area of the ancient world which particularly interests you; the module is assessed by an oral presentation and a 4,500-5,000 word essay.

This module will introduce you to original archaeological research by providing you with an opportunity to undertake and write up your own substantial piece of work on an approved topic, under the supervision of an academic member of staff. For this project you will work in a way similar to an academic archaeologist, from identifying a suitable research topic to critically evaluating the issues relating to the subject area and sustaining a coherent and cogent argument. This undertaking will involve the culmination of the range of core practical and interpretative skills acquired during the first two years of the course.

The dissertation is your opportunity to carry out an in-depth investigation of a chosen area, to be agreed with a supervisor in advance. You will use the skills that your degree has equipped you with thus far to plan, research and complete a 10-12,000-word essay. There will be a mix of contact to achieve this, including workshops, lectures and one-to-one tutorials.

The castles and great houses of late medieval and early modern England were the ‘Powerhouses’ of their day, centres of lordship, governance, aristocratic lifestyles and conspicuous consumption. These impressive monuments are central to understanding the changing structure of authority and power as England was transformed from a medieval quasi-feudal kingdom to an emerging modern state between c.1400 and c.1660. This module will explore the development of late medieval castles and the courtyard house, the conversion of former monasteries, and the transition to the non-defensive ‘great house’ by considering a wealth of architectural and buildings evidence as well as their associated landscapes, furnishings and decoration, alongside a wealth of primary written source material. The multidisciplinary nature of this module encourages students to draw comparisons and to think critically about the role of castles and great houses in aristocratic power, lifestyles and social identities.

The aim of this module is to demonstrate how data can be drawn together from multiple sources to highlight closely interwoven human-(non-human)animal-landscape relationships. As these are often indivisible, in reality if not worldview, the themes studied in this course would allow for a nuanced understanding of past societies but also a critical reflection of our own interactions. The periods and contents covered in this module would be broad and could be tailored by the students to fit their individual interests, teaching and research needs. Students will produce original course content and make positive contributions to seminar discussions.

In this module you will examine the archaeological evidence for the Roman period in Italy and the Mediterranean from 300 BC to AD 550. The major social, cultural and economic changes of the region in this period will be discussed as well as in the context of wider historical and archaeological approaches to the Mediterranean. Through a combination of lectures and seminars you will learn about Rome’s expansion into Italy and the Mediterranean, and the changes that occurred in towns, domestic building, rural settlement, religion, economy and society across the period from the Republic until Late Antiquity.

The aim of this module is to provide you with a broad knowledge of the archaeological evidence for the development of cities and urban life in the later medieval period AD 1000-1500, with a focus on English towns and cities in their wider Europe context. The module will explore the integration of varied sources of archaeological evidence including urban landscapes, buildings and material culture, covering key themes such as urban growth, trade and industry, households and daily life, guilds and the Church. 

This module will introduce you to the archaeology of the Mycenaean world and will give you familiarity with the achievements and the material culture of one of the greatest European Bronze Age civilizations of the second millennium BC, by discussing the historical, social, cultural and economic context of the period. You will explore the world of the Mycenaean palaces and citadels, their towns and trading ports, warfare, religion and cult activities, mortuary practices and ancestor worship, and their wider connections across the Mediterranean world.

Ancient glass is a unique and beautiful translucent material. Since it was invented some 5000 years ago it has been used for a wide range of functions, from luxurious and decorative objects, to vessels and containers for traded liquids, to the coloured windows used in medieval churches and cathedrals. This module covers how glass is made from raw materials, how it was coloured and decorated, and how it was used in a variety of functional and ritual contexts from the Bronze Age to the medieval period. The module brings together socio-cultural and scientific perspectives to show how scientific analysis sheds light on glass technology, trade and provenance, and during practical sessions students will handle ancient glass and try out some of the techniques for themselves.

The module studies the development of the Hallstatt and La Tene communities in west central Europe from c700 BC to the Roman conquests. Topics include settlements and the developments of the first urban communities, burial material culture, warfare, trade, Celtic art and ritual practice, all seen against a background of increasing historical information from Greek and Roman sources.