Modules
Courses / Modules / ARCH2045 Working With Things: The Analysis of Material Culture

Working With Things: The Analysis of Material Culture

When you'll study it
Semester 1
CATS points
15
ECTS points
7.5
Level
Level 5
Module lead
Carl Pollard
Academic year
2025-26

Module overview

Things, both made and found, are a key source of information on human social worlds past and present. This module builds upon the introduction to the archaeology and anthropology of things/objects/artefacts/material culture provided in the Year 1 module ‘Thinking Through Things’ by developing skills in the observation, recording, analysis and presentation of artefacts. Through guiding lectures and practical sessions, we will cover: how to correctly observe and ‘read’ artefacts, their manufacture, use and material properties; matters of classification and characterisation; the collection and curation of artefact data; the use of formal analytical techniques; and written and graphic presentation of artefact reports. Throughout, attention will be paid to the ways, as archaeologists and anthropologists, we move from object to data, to the creation of interpretations about object worlds.