Explore UCD

UCD Home >

ARCH31000

Academic Year 2026/2027

Archaeology, People and Cultures in Extreme Environments (ARCH31000)

Subject:
Archaeology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Archaeology
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Anita Radini
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Content update in progress - please visit this page often until end of August

Archaeology, People and Cultures in Extreme Environment takes a comprehensive approach to the concept of 'extreme' environments and how people adapted to them through time. The module explore how people adapted and even evolved to be able to live in environments such as the Sahara desert and the artic regions of North America (but not only). While it is easy to think that extreme environments are mainly natural environments such as those mentioned above, many extreme conditions for people, their culture and heritage, are created by people themselves. Under this new light, the module will zoom in from natural to built environments from the past (such as mine work, for examples), and will look at environments that are extreme for Archaeologists themselves: remote locations and war zones. The module will look at how we track environmental stress in archaeological contexts with a close look to human remains. The module also will provide an overall understanding on how expeditions in extreme environments are set up. Guest lectures and practical case studies will support the teaching.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module you will have
- a clear understanding of the wide range of natural and built environments that can present challenges to both ancient and modern humanity and to their archaeological and cultural heritage;
- a clear overview of how Archaeology can approach those environments;
- an overview of the key tasks and challenges Archaeologists face in setting up a project in extreme/remote environments.

Indicative Module Content:

Extreme Environments: General Information, Challenges to Life, Biological and Cultural Adaptations, Risks to Archaeology and Heritage.

Natural Environments: Archaeology, People and Cultures in Artic and Sub-artic regions, Deserts, Altitude Zones, Remote Locations.

Built Environments: Working Environments (e.g. mines), Conflict and Post Conflict Zones.

Setting up an expedition.

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.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

34
Autonomous Student Learning

130
Lectures

24
Conversation Class

12
Total

200

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

Assessments:
You may choose to use generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) to find, learn about and understand suitable resources (i.e. for background research). You must avoid AI for writing of assessments.

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
Individual Project: This is a project design - you will be requested to write a 3200 words assignment for field work in an extreme environment, guidelines will be provided. Week 12 Graded Yes
70
 Yes
Practical Skills Assessment: This is a risk assessment for a project in an extreme environment - you will fill a provided form. Week 6 Graded Yes
30
 Yes

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
Autumn 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?

Written feedback within four weeks after submission of each assessment. Feedback will be provided through the VLE.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 22 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
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.