The Archaeology of Australian Stone Artefacts

Who should attend?

This short course gives students skills in stone tool identification and analysis in practical laboratory sessions, combined with seminars that cover current research trends and 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.

What you will study

The course involves hands-on experience learning how to identify and record real stone tools from across Australia. It includes a knapping demonstration, a session on stone tool illustration, and guest talks by experts. No prior knowledge is assumed but a basic understanding of Indigenous archaeology is desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic students will be able to:

• Distinguish a flaked stone tool from naturally broken stone
• Gain competence in recording over 20 features of stone tools to accepted standards used in Australian archaeology
• Understand how to conduct an analysis from the first step of stone tool recording through to interpretation of a stone tool site
• Use data to generate hypotheses about past human activities

Assessment

• 1 multiple choice quiz (completed prior to course)
• 1 practical test (completed during the course)
• 1 short essay (due 1 week after completion of course)