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ARCH30500

Academic Year 2026/2027

Experiment Archaeology & Ancient Technologies (ARCH30500)

Subject:
Archaeology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Archaeology
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Brendan O'Neill
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Using traditional and social scientific approaches, experimental archaeology investigates how people in the past built and occupied houses, managed and interacted with their landscapes, made objects using sophisticated knowledge of materials and how natural processes have impacted archaeological remains. It also enables us to reflect on past materialities through practical engagement with ancient technologies, which provides us embodied experiences of raw materials, processes and technologies not normally used today. For archaeologists interested in material culture, this module allows us to directly explore how archaeology truly is the “discipline of things”.

This module introduces you to experimental archaeology and ancient technologies, through a field school held in Week 0 - the week immediately prior to the start of teaching in Week 1 (Autumn Trimester) at the UCD Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture, at Roebuck, on the University College Dublin campus. You will participate in a range of practical experiments on houses, stone/flint, pottery, organics, food. You should attend in suitable clothing (boots, rain gear, etc) and bring their own supply of drinking water. You should also bring writing materials (pencil, notebook) and a camera. The module will be primarily assessed by means of a reflective learning journal and a project, whereby you make something and think about it in relation to archaeological evidence. Seminars during trimester will help you design, carry out, and report on your project.

NB: The main practical component of this module is taught over a week long field school in Week 0 - the week immediately before the beginning of the Autumn Trimester. Correspondingly, you will need to plan to be on campus and available over this week. If you have specific orientation sessions that you wish to attend during this time please contact the Module Coordinator (brendan.oneill@ucd.ie) and arrangements can be made.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, you will be able to

1. Understand the basics of a range of ancient technologies.
2. Have an advanced understanding of at least one ancient technology.
3. Understand how experimental archaeology has been applied to addressing archaeological research questions.
4. Demonstrate awareness of project design, research questions, recording methods and reflection on results.
5. Work successfully in teams as part of collaborative tasks.

Indicative Module Content:

This module introduces students to experimental archaeology and ancient technologies through a field school to be held in the week immediately before Autumn at the UCD Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture, at Roebuck, on the University College Dublin campus (see red line on map below). Students will participate in a range of practical classes looking at temporary shelter construction, stone working, pottery, “hot technologies” (fire, kiln production, bronze casting), food and other crafts. Please be advised that students should attend in suitable clothing (boots, rain gear, etc.) and bring drinking water each day. You should also bring writing materials (biro, pencil, notebook, etc.) and a camera.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Advanced Beginner

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 1

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

40
Autonomous Student Learning

30
Practical

40
Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The main teaching and learning approaches of this module are

- Active learning
- Experiential learning
- Class based lectures/seminars
- Practical materials engagement

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 Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Write a learning journal using this title -“How can experimental archaeology best enable us to gain a better understanding of people’s lives and the things they made, used and discarded in the past?” Week 3 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay - Choose an archaeological material/artefact/technology (list below) and combined with additional reading, run a small project reflecting on it from the point of view of production or use. Week 12 Graded No
60
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

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

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

You will receive mandatory one-to-one feedback with the module coordinator after your first assessment. This will help guide you towards making improvements for your second assessment and will be targeted specifically at structure, formatting and writing style. Feedback for your second assessment is optional, but highly recommended, and will focus on project design, expression and content.

Name Role
Ms Angela McAteer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Barry Molloy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Brendan O'Neill Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Aidan O'Sullivan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Anita Radini Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Brendan O'Neill Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 7, 12 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
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