Trent University :: Archaeology

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

New Courses
First Year Courses
2000-Level Courses
3000-Level Courses
4000-Level Courses
Field Courses

New Courses for 2011-12:
AHCL 1001H: Case studies in Classical archaeology

ANTH 3995H: Art and Archaeology

ANTH 2050H – Introduction to Ontario historic archaeology field and laboratory methods

ANTH 3180H: Paleolithic Archaeology

First Year Courses
ANTH 1000Y: Introductory anthropology (Sc)
Understanding and explaining humanity in all its variety. An interdisciplinary, comparative study of people and their cultures throughout the world (cultural anthropology), of human evolution, adaptation and genetics (physical anthropology), the recovery and development of prehistoric societies (archaeology) and language as an aspect of culture (linguistics). Excludes ANTH 100, 1010H (101H), 1020H (102H). Usually offered only in Oshawa.

AHCL 1001H: Case studies in Classical archaeology
This course explores the origin, development, challenges, and lessons of archaeological practice in the Classical world, with a focus on specific, illustrative case studies drawn from the history of the discipline.

ANTH 1010H: Biological anthropology and archaeology (Sc)
An introduction to the aspects of biological anthropology and anthropological archaeology. Topics covered include human evolution, the biology of peoples past and present, archaeological method, the development of culture, the domestication of plants and animals, and the rise of civilization and the state. Excludes ANTH 1000Y (100), 101H.

ANTH 1020H: An introduction to sociocultural anthropology
This course will cover topics such as the idea of culture and its role in shaping the way we see the world; the relationship between society and culture; and the role fieldwork plays in sociocultural anthropology. Students will read classic and/or contemporary ethnographies. Excludes ANTH 1000Y (100), 102H.

2000-Level Courses
ANTH 2000Y – Sociocultural anthropology
An introduction to the history, theory and ethnographic methods of cultural anthropology and their role in understanding religion, exchange systems, political and social organization, kinship, gender and issues of social and cultural change. Prerequisite: ANTH 1000Y (100) or 1010H (101H) and 1020H (102H), or SOCI 1000Y (100), or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 200. Non-archaeology course; fulfills requirement for specialization in Anthropological Archaeology.

ANTH 2050H – Introduction to Ontario historic archaeology field and laboratory methods
See Field Courses

AHCL 2100Y – Introduction to ancient history
An introduction to the study of ancient history, focusing on Greek History from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic era and Roman history from the foundation of the city of Rome in 753 BC to the collapse of the western Roman Empire in AD 476. Excludes CLHI 100, AHCL 100 and 201. Non-archaeology course, but required for specialization in Classical Archaeology.

ANTH 2120Y – Archaeology (Sc)
An introduction to the methods used by archaeologists to recover and analyze their data, and a survey of worldwide technological and cultural evolution from the first human ancestors to the earliest civilizations. Excludes ANTH 212.

AHCL – ANTH 2200Y – Introduction to classical archaeology and art history
An introduction to the archaeology and art history of the ancient world, exploring the methods and achievements of Classical archaeology and the material remains (e.g., architecture, pottery, sculpture, painting, etc.) of antiquity, including Bronze Age, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman cultures. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits. Excludes AHCL – ANTH 226 and CLCI – ANTH 224H, 226, 227H and 228H.

AHCL – ANTH 2201H – Introduction to Egyptian archaeology from the Pharaohs to the Romans
The methods and achievements of archaeologists and the art history of Egypt from the period of the Pharaohs, through the Persians and the Greeks to the Romans. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits. Excludes AHCL – ANTH 220H.

AHCL – ANTH – GEOG 2230H – The ancient city
The developments, innovations and achievements of the city in the Greek and Roman world from the Bronze Age to the Late Empire. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits. Excludes CLCI – ANTH – GEOG 223H and AHCL – ANTH – GEOG 223H.

ANTH 2310Y – Anthropology of language and other social media
An introduction to the basic issues and problems involved in articulating linguistic and non-linguistic signs with culture and society. The first semester of the course will focus on language as a social medium in face-to-face interaction, the second semester will focus on other forms of media and non-face-to-face social contexts. Prerequisite: MODL 1001H (101) or ANTH 1020H (102) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 231 and 332. Non-archaeology course; fulfills requirement for specialization in Anthropological Archaeology.

ANTH 2400Y – Biological anthropology (Sc)
The study of the genetics, evolution, growth and development, and biology of human and non-human primates. Prerequisite: ANTH 1000Y (100), or 1010H (101H) and 1020H (102H) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 240. Non-archaeology course; fulfills requirement for specialization in Anthropological Archaeology.

3000-Level Courses
ANTH 3000Y – Field methods and techniques in anthropology (Sc)
See Field Courses

ANTH 3100Y – Key ideas in archaeology and bioarchaeology (Sc)
The lecture component of this course will outline the history of archaeological thought. The seminar component will provide a hands-on exploration of how method and theory are applied within archaeological interpretation. Key ideas in bioarchaeology, such as evolution, race, ethnicity, and repatriation will also be addressed. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 310.

AHCL 3101H – Ancient warfare
An in-depth study of the practice of ancient warfare from the Bronze Age to the Arab Invasions. Themes examined for each era include logistics, recruiting, intelligence, strategy, and naval warfare. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits including AHCL 100 or 201 or 2100Y.

ANTH 3110Y – North American archaeology (Sc)
A survey of the Indigenous cultures in North America (excluding Mexico) from the first humans to European contact. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 311.

ANTH 3140Y – Archaeology, ethnohistory and ethnography of South America
An examination of Indigenous societies of selected areas of South America with an emphasis on the Andean and Amazonian areas. Prerequisite: ANTH 2000Y (200) or 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 314.

ANTH 3150Y – Archaeological laboratory procedures (Sc)
The description and analysis of materials from archaeological contexts including artifacts and natural organic and inorganic remains. Limited enrolment. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 315.

ANTH 3170Y – Comparative early civilizations (Sc)
This course provides a comparative analysis of early civilizations from around the world. Emphasis is placed on elucidating those cross-cultural regularities that appear to signify shared human responses to everyday existence, as well as cultural divergences indicative of the uniqueness and diversity of the human experience. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 495.

ANTH 3180H – Paleolithic archaeology (Sc)
This course explores the archaeological record of the Old World prior to the adoption of agriculture. Students will become familiar with cultural change during the Plio-Pleistocene and will learn, among others, about the expansions out of Africa, the Middle/Upper Paleolithic transition, and the rise of the first sedentary societies. Prerequisite: 9.0 university credits including ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of the instructor. Recommended: ANTH 2400 (240). Excludes ANTH 3120Y (312).

AHCL – ANTH 3220Y – Cult and religion in the Graeco-Roman world
The evidence of eyewitness accounts, inscriptions and physical remains. Topics will include the Delphic oracle, mystery cults, and sacrificial rites. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits including either one credit from AHCL – ANTH 226, 227H, 228H, 2100Y and 2200Y or both AHCL 100 and 201. Excludes CLCI – ANTH 222 and ANTH – AHCL 322.

AHCL – ANTH 3240H – Etruscan archaeology, ca. 1000 – 200 B.C.
The material culture of the Etruscans, who rivalled the major Mediterranean powers in trade and warfare and whose art, architecture and beliefs profoundly influenced ancient Roman culture. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits including 1.0 credit from AHCL – ANTH 226, 227H, 228H or 2200Y. Excludes CLCI – ANTH 234H and AHCL – ANTH 334H.

AHCL – ANTH 3250H – Aegean Bronze Age archaeology
An exploration of the material culture of the Aegean Basin from the Neolithic Period through the Late Bronze Age (ca. 8000-1100 B.C.), focusing on such topics as the built environment, art and symbolism, trade and exchange, religion and burial customs, and social stratification and state formation. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits including 1.0 credit from AHCL – ANTH 226, 227H, 228H, 2200Y. Excludes AHCL – ANTH 325H and CLCI – ANTH 225H.

AHCL 3251H – The archaeology of ancient Athens
This course examines the material culture of ancient Athens from the Neolithic Period to the Slavic Invasions in the 6th century A.D., focusing on changes in the socio-political structure of the city throughout its history by exploring art and architecture, trade and exchange, ritual and mortuary customs, and state formation. Prerequisite: 1.0 credit from AHCL – ANTH 2200Y, 226Y, 227H, or 228H. Excludes AHCL 3958H.

AHCL – ANTH 3252H – The archaeology of the Greek Iron Age
This course examines the archaeological record of the Aegean basin from the collapse of the Mycenaean palaces (ca. 1200 BC) to the rise of the Greek polis (ca. 600 BC), focusing upon such topics as art and architecture, trade and exchange, ritual and mortuary customs, economics and state formation. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits including AHCL – ANTH 2200Y (226). Excludes AHCL 3955H and AHCL – ANTH 3260H.

ANTH – BIOL – FRSC 3415Y – Human osteology and forensic anthropology (Sc)
An introduction to forensic anthropology, a subfield of biological anthropology that focuses on the recovery, identification, and evaluation of human skeletal remains within a medico-legal context. Students learn the basic principles of human osteology, as well as methods of determining age, sex, stature, and other identifying characteristics of skeletal remains. Limited enrolment. Prerequisite: ANTH 2400Y (240). Excludes ANTH – BIOL 341.

ANTH 3650H – Landscape and settlement archaeology (Sc)
The course explores the spatial dimension of archaeological data and its relationship to ecology and human behaviour. Approaches to the distributions of artifacts and sites, the organization of buildings and settlements, and the interactions between cultures will be discussed. Both techniques of analysis and interpretative concepts will be presented. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 365H.

ANTH – ERSC 3680H – Environmental archaeology (Sc)
This course focuses on the concepts and methods used by archaeologists to investigate the long-term interactions between humans and the environment. The course explores the wide diversity of approaches (geomorphology, paleobotany, archaeozoology, paleoentomology, and isotopic analyses) developed over the years in order to sharpen our understanding of past human-environment dynamics. Prerequisite: ANTH 1000Y (100), or 1010H (101H) and 1020H (102H); or ERSC 1000Y (100); or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 3520Y.

ANTH 3710H – The Maya (Sc)
Survey of the ancient and modern Maya of Central America. Examines the culture of the contemporary Maya, one of the largest Indigenous groups of the Americas, as well as the archaeology of pre- Columbian Maya civilization. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 371H.

ANTH 3720H – Caribbean archaeology (Sc)
Survey of the prehistoric archaeology and ethnohistory of the Caribbean area, including an examination of the cultural history of the Greater and Lesser Antilles. Focus is on the Arawak, Carib, and Taino societies (art, architecture, religion, politics, economy, technology and subsistence) until the arrival of Columbus. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 372H.

ANTH 3730Y – Archaeozoology (Sc)
The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the analysis and interpretation of animal remains in archaeological sites. The course will focus on theoretical approaches and methods commonly used by archaeozoologists to address research problems. Topics discussed will include skeletal anatomy and identification, taphonomy, demography, seasonality and quantification. Limited enrolment. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or 2400Y (240) or permission of instructor

ANTH 3750H – Archaeology of the Southwest (Sc)
An introduction to the prehistory of the Southwest United States, from the Paleoindian to the protohistoric. The course includes case studies of complexity in Chaco Canyon and of violence in the Mesa Verde area. Labs focus on methods of interpreting archaeological data from a series of Southwestern sites. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 375H.

AHCL 3850Y – Field course in ancient Mediterranean archaeology
See Field Courses

ANTH 3995H – Art and archaeology (Sc)
This course explores archaeological approaches to prehistoric artwork, from studies of art objects to ancient artists and their audiences. Drawing on examples from Upper Paleolithic cave paintings to plaza performances in ancient Peru, we consider topics such as creativity and tradition, art as material culture, and ancient art in the contemporary marketplace. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor.

4000-Level Courses
AHCL 4001H, 4002H, 4003H – Senior seminar Senior seminar on a topic chosen by instructor. Priority for registration given to graduating students in Ancient History & Classics. 30 student maximum. Prerequisites: AHCL 2100Y (or 100 or 201), AHCL 2200Y (or 226), and AHCL 2300Y (or 150). Only applies to Archaeology degree when topic is archaeological; consult with Program Coordinator for more information.

ANTH 4110Y – Andean prehistory (Sc)
A detailed survey of the pre-Hispanic civilizations of Peru and Bolivia. Archaeological evidence for the economy, ideology and social organization of Inca, Tiwanaku, Moche and other Andean civilizations will be reviewed. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 411.

ANTH 4120Y – Archaeology of Ancient Mesoamerica (Sc)
A survey of the ancient Native civilizations of Mexico and Central America from the earliest settlement to the European conquest. The course includes a study of Aztecs, Maya, Olmec and other societies of Mesoamerica. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 412.

ANTH 4130Y – Archaeology of the Intermediate Area (Sc)
Detailed survey of the ancient Native cultures of lower Central America and northern South America from the earliest settlement to the 16th century. The course examines pre-Columbian evolution of cultures from Honduras to Ecuador, focusing upon Aboriginal arts and technologies and contacts with the civilizations of Mesoamerica and the Andes. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 413.

ANTH 4140H – Historic archaeology (Sc)
A survey of the methods and techniques that historical archaeologists use to define, describe, and analyze their data. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 414H.

ANTH 4150H – Cultural heritage management (Sc)
An introduction to the approaches archaeologists use to address challenges and solve problems in the identification, evaluation, conservation, management, and interpretation of archaeological sites. Emphasis placed on examples from southern Ontario. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 415H.

ANTH – CAST – INDG 4151Y – Archaeology of Ontario (Sc)
Detailed survey of the ancient Indigenous cultures of Ontario from the earliest period to European contact. Archaeological evidence for technology, subsistence, settlement, external relationships, socio-political organization, and cosmology will be reviewed. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 415.

ANTH 4170H – Archaeology and popular culture
This course provides a critical assessment of ways in which archaeology and archaeologists are portrayed in various forms of popular culture, including films, television dramas, documentaries, cartoons, fiction novels, magazines, video and board games, and science fiction. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) and 3000Y (300), or 3100Y (310) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 417H, 4931H.

ANTH 4180H – Collapse of complex societies (Sc)
Using anthropological theory, and archaeologically generated data sets, this course explores the characteristics of, and reasons for, the “collapse” of complex societies. Implications for the contemporary world are also discussed. Prerequisite: 10.0 university credits or permission of instructor.

ANTH 4190H – The archaeology of inequality (Sc)
Using broader theoretical perspectives from the social sciences and archaeological data sets from around the world, this course explores the factors leading to the emergence and exacerbation of social inequalities amongst pre-state societies. Prerequisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor.

ANTH – AHCL 4410H – Mortuary archaeology (Sc)
This course examines the act of burial from an archaeological perspective. We focus on temporal trends in mortuary customs from Neandertals to modern humans. Gender, age, ethnic and social differences in burial patterns will also be explored. Prerequisite: ANTH 2000Y (200) or 2120Y (212) or 2400Y (240); or AHCL 2100Y (210) or 2200Y (220) or 2300Y (230); or permission of instructor.

ANTH 4420H – Palaeopathology (Sc)
This course focuses on the study of disease in human skeletal remains. Emphasis is placed on the description and diagnosis of bone pathology, theoretical issues underlying the reconstruction of the health of past populations, and recent molecular and microscopic approaches to the study of disease in bone. Prerequisite: ANTH – BIOL – FRSC 3415Y (341) or permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 442H.

Field Courses

ANTH 2050H – Introduction to Ontario historic archaeology field and laboratory methods

An introduction to basic excavation and laboratory techniques at a historic site in the Oshawa area. Work will be divided between field and classroom settings. Students must be available for both components.
Summers only – confirm with department office. Limited enrolment. Pre- or co-requisite: ANTH 2120Y (212) or permission of instructor.

ANTH 3000Y – Field methods and techniques in anthropology

An introduction to methods and techniques of discovery, analysis and interpretation in a field situation in any one sub-discipline (archaeology, cultural, physical or linguistic anthropology). Usually offered as archaeology field school in Belize and in Ontario. Summers only – confirm with the department office. Limited enrolment. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Excludes ANTH 211 and 300.

AHCL 3850Y – Field course in ancient Mediterranean archaeology

A field course in archaeological methods and techniques at a Classical or Near Eastern site in the Mediterranean. Spring/Summers only – confirm with the department office. Prerequisite: either ANTH 212 or AHCL – ANTH 226 or AHCL 2200Y or permission of instructor. Limited enrolment.
Excludes AHCL 330.

Should student interest exceed the number of spaces available in a field school, we can help students find a comparable experience via another institution’s archaeological project. There are specific criteria governing what counts as a ‘comparable experience.’ Please see the Degree Requirements and contact the Program Coordinator for more details before taking action.