Archaeological Ceramics

This module provides a broad introduction to the study of ceramics in archaeology and demonstrates their role in interpreting various aspects of past societies.

The module is composed of lectures, museum visits, fieldwork and artefact handling. Following a broad introduction to the wide spectrum of world ceramic types and traditions, it will focus on the ceramic production sequence and the role of ethnography, experimentation and scientific analysis in interpreting past technology and its embedded cultural information. The key topics of distribution, use and discard will also be addresse

The module will provide practical guidelines for the recording and classification of ceramic sherds within archaeology, as well as an overview of the range of specialist laboratory analyses that may be applied to assemblages. The module provides a solid introduction for students interested in ceramics-based dissertations or wishing to study ceramics at post-graduate level.