ARCH8405 The Archaeology of Australian Stone Artefacts

2015

4.5

5 x 8-hour laboratories per semester

1 Admission into GDPSM-Graduate Diploma in Screen and Media Production
1a Admission into MSM-Master of Screen and Media Production
1b Admission into GCMA-Graduate Certificate in Maritime Archaeology
1c Admission into GDPMA-Graduate Diploma in Maritime Archaeology
1d Admission into GCARCH-Graduate Certificate in Archaeology
1e Admission into GDPAHM-Graduate Diploma in Archaeology and Heritage Management
1f Admission into MAHM-Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management
1g Admission into MAHMA-Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management [1.5 years]
1h Admission into MSMA-Master of Screen and Media Production [1 year]
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f or 1g or 1h))

Topic Coordinator approval is required for enrolment in this topic. Students should apply via courseadvice.hass@flinders.edu.au.

ARCH8517 has been successfully completed

An understanding of stone tools is critical in practicing cultural heritage management and undertaking archaeological research on Indigenous sites in Australia. This topic gives students skills in stone tool identification and analysis in practical laboratory sessions, combined with seminars that cover current research trends and advanced theoretical issues. It is suitable for students wishing to gain expertise in stone tool analysis and for cultural heritage managers requiring these skills in their professional practice.

This topic aims to:

• provide students with practical skills in identifying and analysing stone tools

• provide knowledge of how stone tools are used in cultural heritage management and in addressing archaeological research questions

• give students an understanding of the significance of stone tool sites in terms of their social significance to Indigenous people and their scientific significance as it relates to current research in archaeology

• encourage critical thinking about interpretation of material culture through in-depth reading and research

On completing this topic students will:

• be able to distinguish a stone tool from naturally broken stone

• have gained competence in recording over 20 features of stone tools to accepted standards used in Australian archaeology

• be able to undertake a basic statistical analysis of an assemblage of stone tools

• understand how to conduct an analysis from the first step of stone tool recording through to interpretation of a stone tool site

• be able to use data to generate hypotheses about past human activities