The course aims to provide an overview of the scientific, technical and practical dimensions of excavation, from the preparation of a field operation to the publication of results, to future archaeologists and heritage professionals. It aims to provide an understanding of the methodological and scientific issues involved in field archaeology and to teach good practice in excavation, recording and archiving.
We will discuss the legislative and administrative context of archaeological research in Belgium, the logistical and scientific planning of an archaeological operation, stratigraphy and issues of absolute and relative chronology, recording (including site GIS), sampling and preventive conservation of archaeological material, as well as report writing, archiving and publication. Interventions by specialist archaeologists are planned throughout the programme.
Oral examination on the course material and a stratigraphy exercise - map reading.
The pdf of the power-point presentations will be given to the students.