Explore UCD

UCD Home >

ARCH20600

Academic Year 2025/2026

Archaeological Science (ARCH20600)

Subject:
Archaeology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Archaeology
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Meriel McClatchie
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Archaeology is a subject that makes use of techniques and approaches from many other disciplines. In recent years, developments in Science have opened up exciting possibilities and allowed us to approach questions that even a few years ago would have seemed impossible. As an archaeologist, understanding and applying these approaches is an increasingly important part of the discipline. Archaeological Science is a wide topic that would be impossible to cover in all of its details in a single 5-credit module. Consequently, the module provides a broad overview of approaches and a more detailed look at how some of these are applied through targeted case studies and themes. These are chosen to show the way in which scientific methods and thinking can add to our understanding of the past. Even if you have no scientific background, you will learn how to appreciate a scientific way of thinking and how it applies to archaeology. The module will help you to confidently read and critique publications and media that rely on scientific research, and you will gain experience in laboratory analysis of archaeological material.

No Generative AI content is allowed in the final submission for assessments in this module. You may choose to use Generative AI for brainstorming and generating ideas for improving work, but remember that this can bring you down a confusing and incorrect path. Have confidence in your own reading, thoughts and voice.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

- Develop a critical understanding of the role of archaeological science
- Appreciate what it means to think scientifically
- Gain a critical understanding of the application of scientific techniques within the context of archaeology and heritage
- Gain a practical understanding of how some scientific methods are applied to archaeological problems
- Be able to confidently read archaeological science publications and understand the implications of the research
- Communicate archaeological science to a non-specialist audience

Indicative Module Content:

What is archaeological science?
Anatomy of a scientific paper
Archaeobotany
Human remains / Zooarchaeology
Geoarchaeology & Soil science
Radiocarbon dating
Dental calculus / Insects

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

35
Autonomous Student Learning

45
Lectures

10
Seminar (or Webinar)

10
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Teaching and Learning:
This module uses a combination of online materials, case studies and class-based sessions.

Assessments:
No Generative AI content is allowed in the final submission for assessments in this module. You may choose to use Generative AI for brainstorming and generating ideas for improving work, but remember that this can bring you down a confusing and incorrect path. Have confidence in your own reading, thoughts and voice.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Scenario-based examination, where the student is asked to provide a detailed response to one question. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
65
 No
Individual Project: Project: Illustrated review Week 8 Graded No
35
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Project: written feedback to individuals (via Brightspace) within 4 weeks after submission deadline. Exam: written feedback to class within 4 weeks after submission deadline. The initial project will help you develop your ideas, and feedback from the project is intended to help you prepare for your final exam. Feedback contains feed-forward details, which will help you think about how you would improve your approach in future assignments.

This list recommends a mix of reference works and papers. Reference works are intended to be used selectively in conjunction with your case-study readings and work that you might choose to do for your assessments. You are not required to purchase any of the readings.

CORE READING
Richards, M. & Britton, K. (eds.) 2020. Archaeological Science: An Introduction, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available online in UCD Library.

RECOMMENDED READING
Pollard, A. M., Armitage, R. A. & Makarewicz, C. 2023. Handbook of Archaeological Sciences (2nd edition), New York, Wiley. Available in UCD Library.

Campbell, G., Moffett, L. & Straker, V. 2011. Environmental Archaeology: A Guide to the Theory and Practice of Methods, from Sampling and Recovery to Post-excavation (second edition), Swindon, Historic England. Available online. https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/archaeological-science/environmental-archaeology/.

Killick, D. 2015. The awkward adolescence of archaeological science. Journal of Archaeological Science, 56, 242-247. Available online in UCD library.

Murphy, E. M. Whitehouse, N. J. 2007. Environmental Archaeology in Ireland. Oxford, Oxbow Books. Available online in UCD Library.

Torrence, R., Martinón-Torres, M. & Rehren, T. 2015. Forty years and still growing: Journal of Archaeological Science looks to the future. Journal of Archaeological Science, 56, 1-8. Available online in UCD library.

Name Role
Dr Jess Beck Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Helen Lewis Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Meriel McClatchie Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Anita Radini Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Jessica Smyth Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.