MA in Landscap e Archaeology
An advanced programme available over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time)
Our long-established Masters programme in Landscape surveying) are leading scholars in landscape and Archaeology is one of the most successful in Britain. It environmental archaeology. Through their research and draws upon the skills, knowledge and experience that our field projects they are active in the generation of new staff have accumulated in the course of their research on knowledge about humanity’s relationship with, and landscapes and environments across the world – from creation of, the natural world – knowledge that feeds Anglesey to Armenia, and from Heathrow Airport to early directly into their teaching. In addition, Sheffield, the hominin landscapes at Makapansgat. The programme is birthplace of the industrial revolution, is situated in an underpinned by the conviction that the archaeological extraordinarily rich archaeological landscape. As in all our study of past landscapes and environments is not an end programmes, we stress the integration of ‘humanities’ in itself. Rather, as the great French historian Marc Bloch and ‘science-based’ approaches to produce a deeper reminded us, ‘behind the features of the landscape … understanding of past humanity, and throughout provide there are people and it is people that history seeks to you with the opportunity to work between and across grasp’. Throughout this programme, therefore, you will different view points and approaches and to make your explore the ways in which human beings have acted upon own mind up about their strengths and weaknesses. What landscape and environments; the ways in which nature we will ask of you, as a member of our lively academic has acted upon humanity, constraining and directing community, is that you learn, think and develop your own human action; and the ways in which human perceptions answers to the questions raised. of the natural worlds within which they live, and which they have made, influenced their actions. The programme is designed to appeal to all those who want to further their understanding and appreciation of the landscapes within which they live and work. We have designed specific ‘pathways’ for those who wish to use the programme as a platform for advanced independent research at doctoral level (Research Track), and for those who wish to use it as training for a future career in archaeology and/or the management of the historic environment (Vocational Track). The programme offers a series of closely integrated core modules, which enable you to develop your experience and understanding of the method and theory of landscape archaeology. You will learn to think critically about the concept of landscape and its application in archaeology and related disciplines; we will train you in a range of analytical techniques; and you will prepare a piece of research from concept, through data collection and analysis to the writing of reports. There is a strong emphasis on developing your skills and knowledge ‘in the field’ during fieldtrips and within ongoing research projects. We make extensive use of the varied and nationally important landscapes within easy reach of Sheffield, such as the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales. A wide range of up-to-date resources is available, including facilities for using GIS in the lab and in the field; total station, GPS and geophysical survey instruments; and an extensive library of aerial photographs and maps. Sheffield is the ideal place to pursue this programme. The teaching staff (including Bob Johnston in landscape archaeology, Gianna Ayala in geoarchaeology, and Colin Merrony in aerial photography, geophysical and measured
Programme Structure Mediterranean Landscapes Six core modules (each 15 credits) provide you with the Roman Italy and its Hinterland key knowledge and understanding of landscape archaeology - The Archaeology and History of the British Isles, AD400 -1000 Landscapes in Contemporary Perspective - a The Archaeology of Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain programme of seminars structure your exploration of the The Archaeology of the Palaeolithic history of landscape archaeology and the ways archaeology and related disciplines have thought about The Celts landscape (Johnston, Moreland, Barrett). The Early Hominin Settlement of Asia From Desk to Field: methods in landscape archaeology - provides in-depth field and lab-based Viking-Age Europe training in a range of analytical techniques (GIS, aerial photography, archival research, and field survey). This Finally, if you are on the Research Track you finish your module is taught through formal day-long practical programme with a 60 credit dissertation; if you are on classes and independent research (Johnston, Merrony). the Vocational Track you undertake a two-month Landscape Project – offering advanced field training in fieldwork placement (also worth 60 credits) working geophysics, total station and GPS survey. The module is alongside professional practitioners, gaining hands-on taught through formal day-long practical classes and a experience in subjects and/or techniques that you will ten-day field course (in previous years this has been use in your future career. based in the Lake District and North Wales) (Johnston, 2 Merrony). Programme Requirements We welcome applications from candidates with a good Geoarchaeology – this module provides an introduction honours degree (2.1 or better) in archaeology. Applicants to theoretical and analytical techniques in with a degree in other subjects or with professional geoarchaeological research, and involves lectures, archaeological experience are also considered. Please seminars, fieldwork, and laboratory analysis (Ayala). contact the programme director for advice. Managing the Historic Environment – here you are introduced to the theory and practice of conserving and managing archaeological landscapes, and includes organised fieldtrips (Johnston). Researching the Archaeological Landscape - seminars, fieldtrips and talks from invited speakers focus on case studies in the reconstruction of prehistoric and historic landscapes from around the world (various). You then choose optional modules worth a total of 30 credits from an extensive list of thematic and period/region specific modules. Optional modules are normally 15 credits. Availability varies from year to year but the following gives you a flavour of the kind of specialised modules we will offer1 -
Themes/methods
Archaeological Practice Archaeozoology Funerary Archaeology Introduction to Material Culture Studies Palaeoecology and Environmental Change Theory and Method in Economic Archaeology
Period/region specific Archaeology and Texts in the Aegean, 1700-700BC Ethnohistory and Anthropology of Modern Hunter-Gatherers Europe 8000-800BC
From the Age of Migrations to the Age of Discovery Greeks, Romans and ‘Others’ in the Ancient World Peak District landscape Historical Archaeology of the Modern World Iron Age Europe
Material Life and Culture in the Later Medieval World
1 See the Options at Sheffield page for further details of these 2 See also the Applying to Sheffield page for details of University modules. entry and language requirements.