Key facts
UNE unit code: ARPA343
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- 6
Unit information
From planning and research through to identification, surveying, mapping, recording, excavation, sampling and analysis, this unit introduces you to the core principles and skills for archaeological field research. You will have the opportunity to attend a six-day intensive school as well as lectures, readings, exercises and field exercises introducing archaeological field work and the key concepts of research design.
In doing so, you will explore a broad range of topics including logistical planning, basic survey techniques, map reading and interpretation, site description and recording, sampling, principles of excavation and stratigraphy, site formation, ethics and legislative requirements.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 5 days | Mandatory Intensive School | All offerings | All On Campus and Online students must attend a mandatory intensive school that incorporates lectures and practicals. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate initiative, responsibility and accountability working independently and as part of a team to plan, design and execute a program of research, including taking into account regulatory, funding, and administrative constraints;
- demonstrate a broad and coherent body of knowledge of the concepts and application of methods used in collecting, analysing and interpreting archaeological data;
- apply archaeological fieldwork techniques including identification, surveying, mapping, recording, excavation and sampling; and
- apply well developed cognitive skills to identify and describe different classes of primary archaeological data and record their characteristics, and present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Quiz No. Words: 1000 |
| Assessment 2 | Yes | 15% | All offerings | Field Recording Exercise No. Words: 750 |
| Assessment 3 | Yes | 35% | All offerings | Field Report No. Words: 1500 |
| Assessment 4 | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Quiz No. Words: 1500 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
The Archaeologist's Field Handbook
ISBN: 9781743318065
Burke, H., Morrison, M. and Smith, C., Pearson 2nd ed. 2017
Text refers to: All offerings
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