Professional training in archaeology and heritageInstitute of Archaeology and Antiquity

University of Birmingham

2010

What’s in a name?Practical Archaeology will be changing its name to Professional and Applied Archaeology, to reflect changes to the course format since its inception approximately 20 years ago. The content and format of the programme includes the same comprehensive mix as before, but we felt that the title didn’t quite sum up how the course has developed in line with the profession itself. We still offer the best place to learn the skills and background you need to develop a successful career in archaeology!

Flexible approaches to professional development - on campus and offIn response to a growing need for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in archaeology and heritage, we are increasing the ways in which heritage professionals, postgraduate students and voluntary sector archaeologists can develop their skills in applied archaeology and landscape studies. From October 2011, we will be offering new ways in which you can sign up to our programmes, both Professional and Applied Archaeology, and Landscape Archaeology, GIS and Virtual Environments will be available as Postgraduate Certificates. Rather than an intensive year or two year programme, the PG Certificate offers a 60 credit option designed for those wishing to gain specific skills and knowledge within the discipline. An introductory module provides the academic and theoretical background to the subject (20 credits) and is followed by a further two optional modules chosen from diverse group. If you decide you want more, you can always upgrade to a full PG Diploma (120 credits) or even opt for the MA programme (180 credits) which includes a significant research element. As with other programmes, these will be offered on campus and by Distance Learning.

For those wishing to up their skills in more focused areas, we are also offering a selection of our modules as CPD standalone components (and you can still choose to upgrade once you’ve started). These modules can either be taken on a one-off basis or multiple modules can be used to build up credit towards a PG Cert. Delivery of the modules can either be on campus or via distance learning, or a combination of the two.

News and developmentsIn this issue:

Cannock ChaseGold-diggers

LandscapesFrom the horse’s mouth

Course details; on campus and by Distance Learning

A Spotlight on Cannock ChaseBetween 2007 and 2009 students from programmes in Practical Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, GIS and VE, Conflict Archaeology and Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoenvironments came together to examine the archaeology of Cannock Chase in Staffordshire as part of their module in Archaeological Field Survey. The site is an important and impressive archaeological monument, with extant military remains covering an area of up to 15km2. It was the site of two military training camps constructed on the eve of the First World War, incorporating numerous barracks for the troops and associated supporting infrastructure. Various regiments and thousands of soldiers passed through the Cannock camps during the Great War, some on their way to the Western Front and others staying longer to learn essential skills such as the digging of effective trench systems.

The postgraduate students from the University of Birmingham carried out detailed topographic and geophysical surveys of a number of areas of Brocton Camp in order to assess the survival of the archaeological remains and to aid their interpretation. The results of the work were extremely impressive and have been invaluable to Staffordshire County Council and are forming the basis of forthcoming publications.

Images show Environmental Archaeology MSc student Chrissie Jolliffe surveying in trench locations (top left), resistivity survey results reveal the complex layout of practice trenches (middle top) and the barrack blocks for troops set within a grid of paths and drainage channels (top right). The photograph at the bottom shows the nature of extant trenches visible at the Chase, dug by troops preparing for the Front.

Gold

-dig

gers

Excavation and Recovery of the Staffordshire HoardDescribed as the equivalent of finding a new Lindisfarne Gospels or Book of Kells, even as the most important Anglo-Saxon find since Sutton Hoo, the discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard is by any measure one of the most important and enigmatic archaeological finds of our generation. Its discovery has put the spotlight on Anglo-Saxon Mercia with unprecedented public attention through a variety of media. The statistics are impressive. A total of 90 print and TV media journalists attended the press launch, a total of 10 million visits were made to the hoard website (www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk) in its first week, and over 40,000 visitors queued (for up to four hours) at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to visit just a small selection of the artefacts.

After its initial discovery by metal detectorist Terry Herbet, the hoard had to be recovered fast – and under emergency conditions – due to the very real threat to the site from unauthorised metal detector users. Archaeologists from Birmingham Archaeology, Univeristy of Birmingham were invited to join a collaboration between experts from Staffordshire County Council, English Heritage, the Portable Antiquities Scheme, the British Museum and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, all working alongside metal detectorist Terry Herbert and the landowner.

Over five days in July 2009 Terry recovered approximately 200 gold items from a pasture field near Lichfield, Staffordshire. In accordance with the Treasure Act 1996 the finds were reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, Staffordshire County Council and English Heritage. A test-pit was dug to test the archaeological context of the discovery. The site was then hand-excavated by Birmingham Archaeology, working systematically in 1m squares, outwards from the initial find-spot to safely recover the entire hoard. Within each metre square the ploughsoil was excavated by trowel in controlled spits and also scanned with a metal detector in order to maximise the recovery of even the smallest finds.

It has been suggested that the hoard was a collection of trophies from a battle or military campaign. It is not known why the items came to be buried near Lichfield. One theory suggests that the items were buried by individuals who did not live to recover their spoils. It is equally possible that the burial held a symbolic meaning as a tribute to pagan gods. Further geophysical survey and trial-trenching is planned to provide an understanding of landscape context of the hoard, which will return to public view in the midlands during 2010.

Preliminary study of the hoard by Dr Kevin Leahy confirms its national and international importance, not merely because it is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found. Most of the items may date to the 7th century AD. The quality of the craftsmanship is supreme, indicating ownership by the elite. The hoard contains a large number of pommel caps (86), sword hilt plates (135) and sword hilt collars (71) along with fragments from at least one highly decorated helmet. One of the most significant finds is a band of gold bearing the latin inscription ‘Rise up O Lord and may thine enemies be dispersed and those who hate thee be driven from thy face’. This quotation is thought to come from the Old Testament Book of Numbers 10:35 or Psalm 68:1. Only two or three items from the hoard were non-martial. These comprise several small pendant crosses and a larger folded gold cross; possibly used as an altar or processional cross.

Practical Archaeology student, Edd Thomas will be looking into the archaeological and historical context of the hoard for his dissertation topic.

New work in Eskdale, CumbriaAn exciting new research project was instigated in early 2010 by staff from the University of Birmingham and the Lake District National Park Authority. Led by Mark Kincey and Amanda Forster this project aims to provide a greater insight into the multi-period archaeology of the upland landscape around Eskdale in Cumbria. In March 2010 postgraduate students from the MA courses undertook a topographic survey of a medieval farmstead at Toungesdale Moss, with both postgraduate and undergraduate students scheduled to return to the site in the summer for training excavations.

Other postgraduate students have chosen to focus their research work on the archaeology of Eskdale. Emma-Louise Phillips (MA Practical Archaeology) is conducting an area assessment of the historic landscape of the valley; Birgit Kaspar (MA Landscape Archaeology) is looking to reconstruct the Roman occupation of Eskdale through geophysical survey and GIS visualisation, and Carly Roberts (MSc Environmental Archaeology) is investigating a submerged forest preserved off the coast south of Ravenglass.

Images show surveying in action at Tonguesdale Moss (top), the site where we will be excavating in Summer 2010 (middle) and postgraduate students with Project Officer John Halsted (far left, bottom) surveying in Eskdale, March 2010. The background image shows the results of the topographic survey undertaken.

Landscapes in the Lakes and beneath the sea

Drowned landscapes of the MesolithicAround the shores of Britain and Europe, and buried beneath metres of sediment blanketing the sea floor is a landscape which dates to the Mesolithic period. Our marine geophysics team in VISTA undertake research into these ancient landscapes using a variety of both legacy and newly aquired data. Using 2D and 3D seismic surveys (often donated by oil exploration companies) the team reconstructs, analyses, populates and protects submerged palaeolandscapes. Surprisingly, this important Mesolithic archaeology is just as threatened as its on-shore counterparts - either by natural threats such as erosion or from infrastructure projects such as windfarm developments. Unlike terrestrial archaeological sites, these marine landscapes are neither well protected nor well known (largely due to their inaccessibility).

By using the seismic data, submerged landscape features can be identified and mapped. Once identified, these features were cored by the team and palaeoenvironmental taken, the data from which reveals the vegetation of the landscape. These cores also inform experts of the rise in sea level at the end of the last ice age, dating with precision when these landscapes were last inhabited.

Following on from the success of leading edge research conducted for the North Sea Palaeolandscapes project, the marine geophysics team is now working in several new regions applying the same methodology to shed light on the buried landscapes of the marine world. These include expansion around the British coast with the Humber Regional Environmental Characterisation and the West Coast Palaeolandscapes project - as well as pushing into international waters looking specifically at Qatar, in the Middle East.

By identifying topographic features, such as areas of high ground and river channels, maps highlighting the archaeological potential of any particular area can be created. These, combined with other datasets such as geology, bathymetry and water depth, can pinpoint areas of archaeology that are most at threat. Therefore, at the same time as opening up a whole new archaeological world, the work being done is making sure it will be managed and conserved for future generations.

The marine geophysics team also provides the opportunity for postgraduate students to work on cutting edge research projects. Two students undertaking the MSc Environmental Archaeology and Palaeolandscapes have both been working on different aspects of the Humber Regional Environmental Characterisation Project. Jade Whitlam will be using GIS and environmental data to refine the landscape characterisation and archaeological resource potential, whilst Holly Salisbury is using materials derived from the cores recovered by the team to define the potential of archaeo-environmental preservation within marine sediments in a target region.

Landscapes in the Lakes and beneath the sea

Images show offshore environmental coring for the Humber REC (top), a sequence of ‘time slices’ through a 3D seismic survey for the West Coast Palaeolandscapes project (middle) and GIS integration of newly identified river channels and landbased topography and distribution of prehistoric sites on the coast (bottom). The background image shows a timeslice through a 3D survey with palaeochannels digitised.

Which course did you do? I completed the MA Landscape Archaeology, GIS and Virtual Environments.Why did you do this postgraduate course? Because it focused on GIS and geophysical surveys in archaeology which I wanted to seek a career in. And because it’s really hard to find a course that focuses on this within archaeology in the US.What was the thing you enjoyed most about the IAA course? How the modules were laid out…I liked the practicality and hands-on nature of the courses.What experiences did you gain from doing the MA? My more advanced GIS knowledge like 3D and spatial analysis, data modelling and geophysics, and how to apply them to real world issues and jobs.Where are you now and what is your current task? I am in Philadelphia, PA. I am currently a Project Geoarchaeologist in a team of three. I correct and deal with weekly GPS data, create the final maps for our published documents, complete geophysical and total station surveys and work with these data. I also do some data modelling.Did the course help define your career aspirations? Yes! It was the best course that I’ve ever taken. Very practical and applicable!What next for you? I’m looking forward to continuing on with this company. It’s a great team and with so little knowledge like this to be found in the North American Cultural Resource Management world our work is important and sought after, especially by the government and even other CRM companies.

Which course did you do? I did the MSc in Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoenvironments

Why did you choose this postgraduate course? I chose the course because I wanted to specialise in a particular discipline after spending

time as a field archaeologist/digger. Environmental archaeology was an area of archaeology that had

always interested me.What was the thing you enjoyed most

about the course? I enjoyed the academic environment with a wide range of specialists available

in both the IAA and GEES, with the added dimension of active commercial projects.

What experiences did you gain from doing the MA? The MSc broadened my view of

archaeology and made me realise just how many techniques utilised in other disciplines could be applied

in an archaeological context. Where are you now and what are your

current tasks? I am currently employed as a Senior Environmental Archaeologist specialising in

palynology at Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service.

Did the course help define your career aspirations? The course definitely focused and

defined my career aspirations! What next for you? I am currently engaged in pollen analysis as part of the post-excavation process

from several projects within Worcestershire. I am still actively engaged in fieldwork and research. In the future, I would like to engage in “research” orientated

projects and, at some point, I would also like to undertake a PhD and broaden my skill base into other

disciplines which are applicable within archaeology.

From the horses mouth...A word from our Alumni and DL students

Elizabeth Kramp MA Landscape Archaeology 2008-2009

Nick Daffern MSc Environmental Archaeology

2006-2007

From the horses mouth...A word from our Alumni and DL students

Doug DoughtyMA Practical Archaeology 2008-2010Why the DL Archaeology program? Why University of Birmingham? The first “why” is possibly the easier to answer: I’m a high school Theatre teacher in Toronto and have been doing courses in Anthropology/Archaeology in my spare time for the last decade. Since 2003, I’ve been spending summer vacations working on an archaeology project in Bocas del Toro, Panama run by Dr. Tom Wake of UCLA. My intention in attempting a degree program was to drive me to focus, refine and ultimately “write up” my Panama work. Why University of Birmingham? Well, my first encounter with UoB was at the SAA conference in Atlanta. I picked up a couple of brochures and had a good long conversation with the people running the booth. When I phoned a week or so later, the voice on the other end of the line was helpful and informative - and she actually remembered me (“the skinny Canadian guy with the beard….”)! It made it much easier to decide on UoB knowing that there were people who seemed to care... So, how’s it been? Well, the course has zipped by (though I still have a dissertation to write). It has taken self-discipline at times to come home from work and commence a couple of hours of homework. Fortunately, the courses were all interesting and delivered on-line in a format that made the work much easier to digest. The assignments were also interesting and based on “real world” issues/topics. The profs were easy to get hold of via “Skype” or email, and they always managed to find time for their students. University of Birmingham’s DL program in Practical Archaeology has been an excellent experience. It has really allowed me to get a grip on my own particular area of focus, while introducing me to many new ideas and approaches that will certainly be beneficial in my future work.

Birgit KasparMA Landscape Archaeology 2008-2010I’m a graduated photoengineer but have always had an interest in archaeology as well as in geography. For my dissertation I had already been working with a team of archaeologists in Cambodia and became interested in 3D laser scanning, virtual reconstructions and remote sensing. I was looking for a connection between optics and archaeology and came across UoB. The course seemed unique and combined many of my interests. Distance Learning was the perfect choice for me asI didn’t want to move away from Germany and my job without having completed the course. Right from the start I had a good feeling with the staff in Birmingham. Even though I wasn’t living around the corner somebody would always be there to answer my questions - there was never a feeling of being completely “alone” in front of my computer. The structure of the course helped integrate coursework into my daily life; lectures could be listened to at any time of the day and repeatedly, which can be helpful when English is not your mother tongue! The course has worked out so well I’m now upgrading to do the Masters.

It was hard work sometimes to get the written assignments done in time, do them well and still work full time, but it was manageable due to the great support of the guys in Birmingham. I hope that I will obtain the master’s degree and that it will not only be a very interesting experience but give me the opportunity to work in archaeological prospection or a related field later on.

Courses for 2010 – 2012The Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity at the University of Birmingham, UK, offers a range of postgraduate and professional training courses aimed to provide you with the skills you need to work in the heritage environment today. From project management techniques in archaeology to the visualisation of past environments, we aim to give you practical experience in the diverse range of techniques and approaches available to heritage practitioners.

All of the courses we offer can be tailored to your individual interests and needs, and can be delivered as full-time or part-time degrees.

Campus-based programmesMA / PG Diploma in Professional and Applied ArchaeologyMA / PG Diploma in Landscape Archaeology, GIS and Virtual EnvironmentsMSc in Environmental Archaeology and PalaeoenvironmentsMA in Conflict ArchaeologyMPhil (B) in Archaeological Practice

Ironbridge Institute programmesMA / PG Diploma in Heritage ManagementMA / PG Diploma in Historic Environment Conservation

Distance Learning programmesMA / PG Diploma in Professional and Applied Archaeology (DL)MA / PG Diploma in Landscape Archaeology, GIS and Virtual Environments (DL)MA / PG Diploma in Heritage Management (DL)

MPhil (B) Archaeological Practice Some PhD programmes can be taken via Distance Learning.

To find out more go to:http://www.iaa.bham.ac.uk/postgraduate/ or email us at archpgrad@lists.bham.ac.uk

Continuing Professional Development The following short courses will be coming online in Winter 2010 and from January 2011. If you are interested in hearing more about CPD courses, please email us at archpgrad@lists.bham.ac.uk.

Archaeology in PracticeExcavation and Project PlanningPost Excavation AnalysisIntroduction to GISLandscape ArchaeologyGIS and Spatial AnalysisField SurveyVirtual LandscapesGeophysical Survey

Dr John CarmanConflict Archaeology

Dr Amanda ForsterPractical Archaeology/

Professional and Applied Archaeology

Dr Andy HowardEnvironmental Archaeology

and Palaeoenvironments

Mr Mark KinceyLandscape Archaeology, GIS

and Virtual Environments

Dr Roger White Heritage Management and Historic

Environment