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Archaeology labs

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About the Archaeology labs

Our purpose-built archaeology building at Avenue Campus is home to a wealth of laboratories and the latest archaeological equipment. Here you’ll learn the scientific principles, theories and techniques behind the discipline.

Archaeology teaching lab

The Nick Bradford Laboratory is the largest teaching space in our building. We teach practical classes including identifying microscopic pollen grains to reconstruct past environments, and investigating ancient metalwork techniques.

Bones labs

In our osteoarchaeology (bones) labs you’ll get practical experience with human and animal bones. You'll learn what they can tell us about the diseases, diets and societies of the past.

Ceramics and stone lab

Access specialist equipment and reference collections to investigate ceramics and lithics (stone). Research might include analysing how stone tools were used in the past.

Computation lab

Students use high-performance computers and specialist software to create maps, process scans and build computer models of landscapes, archaeological sites, artefacts and shipwrecks.

Isotope sampling lab

We prepare samples for isotopic analysis here. Dissertation and research students use these techniques to identify details about an individual such as their diet or where they grew up. We also have access to the isotope laboratory at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton.

Maritime archaeology lab

Here we teach ship recording and survey techniques. High-performance computers with virtual reality models let you explore recently discovered shipwrecks.

Palaeolithic archaeology lab

This teaching space focuses on the early part of the Stone Age when basic stone tools were used. You'll be able to explore our palaeolithic collection and learn about human evolution and activity 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago.

Subjects using this facility

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