A Guide to the Assessment Tasks for

AHIS 346 Archaeological Fieldwork

The modern role of archaeology is complex.  Here are some thoughts from UNESCO:

http://en.unesco.org/themes/protecting-our-heritage-and-fostering-creativity

They begin the discussion of ‘Protecting Our Heritage and Fostering Creativity’ with the thought that “In today’s interconnected world, culture's power to transform societies is clear. Its diverse manifestations – from our cherished historic monuments and museums to traditional practices and contemporary art forms – enrich our everyday lives in countless ways.”

We hope that you will find a way into this ‘conversation’ through archaeology.

A. Participation.

1. To gain entrance into this unit you will have signed up for an excavation.  The excavation director and his staff will assign you tasks in various different parts of the project.  They may be in an excavation trench or it could be in the treatment and sorting of material recovered by digging. It is all archaeology.

2. The excavation director and or his staff will assess your participation.  They will give a mark out of 30% on the basis of your undertaking of the assigned tasks.  So, it is important that you be clear about what it is they are wanting you to do (always ask questions).

3. Trying to explain the various skills you will practice on excavation is difficult without being on site or in the excavation rooms.  There are many books that discuss, for example, useful surveying techniques.  Online you might visit this commercial enterprise which offers some good information:  http://www.archaeologyskills.co.uk/

B. Journal.

1. The journal is your personal record of your participation in the archaeological project.  As such it is closely linked to how you are getting on with your assigned tasks.

2. You should briefly document the various tasks you have been assigned on a day to day basis.  It is also a record of your own thoughts and ideas about the excavation, its organization and the part you are playing.  You should then record your responses to the work you have been assigned.

3. On one level this exercise is descriptive.  You are recording what is happening around you.  On another it is a demonstration of your understanding of the archaeological enterprise and how you fit in.

4. Please observe the 800 word maximum limit per day and a maximum total of 16,000 words.  Try and avoid repetition of the same descriptive material.  There is no need to repeat, for example, the description of your trench – simply record what is changing.  How did you contribute to those changes?  What do you think the material you are uncovering is telling you about the site and the people who lived there?

5. It must be submitted in electronic form via the assessment tool.

C. Presentation.

1. The topic of the presentation is your archaeological fieldwork experience.  This is a chance to show what you have learnt about archaeology.  It is also a chance for you to hear what other students have been doing.

2. You have only 10 minutes.  You should avoid long descriptions of the site and its history.  Instead you should focus on the excavation and what you yourself accomplished.

3. If you are part of a large group of MQ students on the same excavation you will be assigned different topics for your presentation.  Please check with your MQ excavation director or representative.

D. Research Essay

1. Your research essay is marked by the unit convenor, A/P Kenneth Sheedy 

2. The essay is designed to encourage the student to engage with theoretical aspects of the practice of archaeological fieldwork.

3.The essay should be submitted electronically via ilearn.

4. Research Essay topic

Write an essay combining a) and b):

a) Outline and discuss the aims of the excavation and the strategies that the excavation director has chosen to achieve these aims.

b) Outline and discuss your work on the excavation in relation to the aims and strategies set out in a)

For example – a) the aim of the excavation was clear a cemetery which was to be built over by a new housing project.  The director decided to excavate half the known area given the available resources and time.  The director wished to examine mortuary practice of the period and placed special emphasis on looking for traces of food and drink placed in the graves. b)  My role was to assist in the recording of the contents of each grave.  I helped with the dry sieving of the soil.

So, given this example, you would then elaborate in the essay on themes such as rescue excavation strategies, our knowledge of mortuary practices of the period, the value and techniques of soil sieving etc. The essay thus aims to get you to think about what you are doing on the excavation.  Keeping a diary detailing your work is thus going to be crucial.

Students must achieve an overall mark of 50% or above to complete the unit satisfactorily.  Students must pass the assessment tasks of participation and the major essay to complete the unit.

Recommended Reading

Depending on the area of excavation, the student may be required to obtain a copy of a standard archaeological textbook.  As an introduction the student might consult:

J. Balme and A. Paterson (eds), Archaeological Practice: A Student Guide to Archaeological Analyses (ISBN: 978-0-470-65716-4) 2013, Wiley-Blackwell.  Please contact the MQ supervisor of your chosen excavation.  

Reconsidering Archaeological Fieldwork : Exploring On-Site Relationships Between Theory and Practice / edited by Hannah Cobb, Oliver J. T. Harris, Cara Jones, Philip Richardson. Boston, MA : Springer US, 2012. This e-book is available from MQ library. 

Assignment Submission

Assessments 2 (Journal) and 4 (Research Essay) must be submitted electronically via iLearn.

Assessment 3 (Presentation).   You will be sent an email with the time of your presentation (and confirmation of all details).  The presentations will be held in the Museum of Ancient Cultures seminar room.  Students would normally offer a Powerpoint presentation.

Assignment Extensions

Extensions for assignments can only be granted for medical reasons or on compassionate grounds. Without documentation (medical or counselling certificates) or prior staff approval, a penalty of 2% a day, including weekends, will be applied.  If required, applications for extensions should be made before the assignment's due date.

NB You should always keep a copy of completed tasks in case of loss.

SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF UNIT

Students must attend the excavation of their choice for the full period of their participation.  This period of time will be determined in consultation with your MQ excavation supervisor at the time of enrollment. Failure to complete the full period of participation may result in disqualification from the unit unless there are satisfactory medical or compassionate grounds.

Students must achieve an overall mark of 50% or above to complete the unit satisfactorily. 

The unit schedule will vary between archaeological sites attended but will in all relevant respects follow the assessment tasks:

1. Prior to attendance at excavation the student must participate in meetings convened by PACE as well as those organized by the MQ excavation director or supervisor.

2. Participation in the excavation

3. On return from excavation the following assessments must be completed by the dates given in the unit guide

a. submission of journal

b. group presentation

c. research essay

Marking rubrics are presented in iLearn. 

Excavation

You must consult with your MQ excavation supervisor regarding the tasks you will be doing on excavation and the technology involved in your work.

Technology and Resources at MQ

The unit has an iLearn page which can be accessed at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. PC and Internet access are therefore required.  Basic computer skills (e.g. internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.  Please consult your MQ excavation supervisor regarding any particular technology and resources relevant to your studies.

In 2016 the unit AHIS 347 became the PACE unit AHIS 346.

Marking rubrics for all assignments have been placed on the unit guide.

The Research Essay will now be marked by the Unit Convenor.

Work, Health, and Safety (WHS)

A PACE Activity is an experiential activity allocated to, and undertaken by, a student within a PACE unit which may take place in premises other than the University (usually the Partner Organisation’s premises). When working or studying in non-University premises, the primary responsibility for the health and safety of our students becomes that of the Partner Organisation hosting the student. However, as a student, you also have a legal responsibility under the Workplace Health & Safety Act 2011 and the Macquarie University Health & Safety Policy to ensure the health and safety of yourself and of others in the workplace.

Each student has a moral and legal responsibility for ensuring that his or her work environment is conducive to good health and safety, by:

• ensuring that their work and work area is without risk to the health and safety of themselves and others
• complying with the University’s and Partner Organisation’s Work Health & Safety Policy and Procedures
• reporting hazards and incidents as they occur in accordance with University and Partner Organisation’s policy
• actively participating in all health and safety activities and briefing sessions (e.g. emergency evacuation procedures, site inspections etc.).

Each student is also required to advise their Unit Convenor or Faculty PACE Officer as soon as possible when:

• he/she feels unsafe at any stage during the PACE activity
• he/she did not receive a safety induction prior to the commencement of the activity covering: First aid, Fire and emergency evacuation; and Injury/incident reporting
• he/she did not receive any specialised instructions/training necessary to carry out the role
• an incident/accident happens (even when reported to the Partner Organisation/supervisor and managed by them) 

Non-compliance with the above may result in withdrawal of the student from the PACE Activity.

Underwater Archaeology.

If you are planning to undertake underwater archaeology, please note that Macqaurie University will require the following before you are allowed to enrol:

• Copy of current diving medical certificate issued by an Australian doctor (to meet Australian standards) provided to MQ and to the organisation hosting the underwater archaeological project.
• Copy of SCUBA dive certification (PADI qualification) provided to MQ and host institution. Dive certification is best obtained prior to departure to ensure the archaeological dives can proceed once on location. 
• Advanced Open Water certification (less than 18m depth) required through an internationally recognised diver training organisation
• Minimum 15 hours over 15 dives recorded in the student’s dive log-book

What to do in the case of an emergency:

1. Remove yourself from any danger.

2. Speak to your excavation supervisor. The excavation may have emergency procedures to follow.

THEN 

3. Contact your Unit Convenor by email as soon as you can to notify them of the incident.

4. If you cannot reach your Unit Convenor, contact your Faculty PACE Officer by email to notify them of the incident.

5. If necessary, Contact Customer Care (24 hours): +61 2 8907 5995 and quote Insurance Policy number: 01PP532077.

N.B. For any minor issues with your participation activity, please speak to your excavation Supervisor. If the problem is more serious, please contact your Unit Convenor or your Faculty PACE Officer.

If you are experiencing difficulties and need to speak to a counsellor:

Contact the MQ Counselling Service at Campus Wellbeing on +61 9850 7497 (Monday - Friday, 8am-6pm, AEST).