UCL - Methods of Archaeological Survey

[ARKE1332]

[15h] 2 credits

This course is taught in the 1st semester.

Teacher(s): Raymond Brulet

Language: French

Level: First

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods

Aims

At the end of education, the student will be initiated to research methods aiming at archaeological prospection. Archaeological prospection has become a domain of researches in full measure, owing to the more and more frequent discovery today of archaeological sites which will not be able to be excavated. Also because the explosion of rescue research and refinement of the scientific methods applied to this domain.

Main themes

Discover the new importance of archaeological prospection. Start to learn about stages of rescue archaeology. Learn to constitute a file of first inquiry. Start to learn about the methods of air prospection, about the methods of prospection on the field, about the scientific methods of prospection, geophysics and geochemical approach.

Content and teaching methods

Contents:
Lesson constitutes an introduction to the methods of archaeological prospection. It envisages steps of the archaeologist, in prior inquiries, in air prospection and in photographic and topographical interpretation, at first.
The techniques of prospection on the field, notably aiming at micro-regional inquiries into the occupation of territories, are then approached.
The techniques of manual then scientific prospection are reviewed. Among these last, they differentiate the methods of geophysic prospection, as electrical methods, magnetic techniques, use of the radar and the methods of chemical prospection allowing to discern the ancient habitat on the basis of the analysis of phosphates.
Methods:
Lesson will consist of a theoretical education and a practical training period on the field.