Module Details

Module Code: CULT H2015
Full Title: The Archaeology of Death and Burial
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner:: Conor Brady
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: The aim of this module is to introduce students to the theme of death and burial as key theme in archaeological study. While the study of burial and burial practices often bring us closest to real individuals who existed in the past, reminding us of their often forgotten humanity, the treatment of the dead tells us much more about the ceremonies, ritual and belief systems of the living in the past, allowing us to gain valuable insights into customs, practices and social organisation. The roles that the dead play for living communities at various times in the past and in different locations will be explored.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Distinguish the variety of burial practices that took place in different places and at different times in the past
MLO2 Assess the relationships between burial practices and belief systems
MLO3 Examine these burial practices and make inferences about the society of the time
MLO4 Compare and contrast beliefs about death and the afterlife from place to place and period to period
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Learning from the dead
Analysis of physical remains, social aspects of burial, ritual and belief.
Death and ethnoarchaeology
Case studies of burial practices and attitudes to death from ethnography
Differing approaches to corporeal remains
Treatments/burial rites - inhumation, excarnation, cremation, remains as artefacts
The social dimensions of death
Grave goods, gender and kinship, identity, status, rank and power. Children in the burial record.
Places for the dead
Monuments, tombs and graveyards
The rituals of death and burial
Ritual and ceremony. Belief systems. The afterlife.
The politics of the dead
Ownership of the dead. Burials and territoriality. Kinship and lineages.
The ethics of the archaeology of the dead
Treatment of archaeological remains in the present.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students are required to describe the burial practices observed at one of a series of key prehistoric archaeological sites; approx 2000 words
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 70
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students are required to analyse the archaeology of a key burial site from a variety of theoretical perspectives with a particular focus on the interpretation of social structures and relationships; approx 2500 words
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

Part-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students are required to describe the burial practices observed at one of a series of key prehistoric archaeological sites; approx 2000 words
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 70
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students are required to analyse the archaeology of a key burial site from a variety of theoretical perspectives with a particular focus on the interpretation of social structures and relationships; approx 2500 words
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
No repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will be offered solely on the basis of coursework and a repeat examination will not be offered.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact A series of topics will be presented to students along with examples drawn from the literature and from the lecturers own research experience. Every Week 3.00 3
Directed Reading Non Contact Students will be directed to a series of publications on the reading list designed to support the material covered in the lectures and provide detailed information for use in completion of continuous assessment work. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact Students will be encouraged to read additional material relevant to the material covered in the module as well as engaging with a series of selected websites and video material. Visits to archaeological heritage sites is also encouraged. Every Week 4.00 4
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact A series of topics will be presented to students along with examples drawn from the literature and from the lecturers own research experience. Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Reading Non Contact Students will be directed to a series of publications on the reading list designed to support the material covered in the lectures and provide detailed information for use in completion of continuous assessment work. Every Week 4.00 4
Independent Study Non Contact Students will be encouraged to read additional material relevant to the material covered in the module as well as engaging with a series of selected websites and video material. Visits to archaeological heritage sites is also encouraged. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Parker Pearson, Mike. (1999), The Archaeology of Death and Burial, Sutton Publishing, Stroud.
  • Bahn, Paul (ed). (2003), Written in Bones: How Human Remains Unlock the Secrets of the Dead, Firefly Books.
  • Mays, Simon. (1998), The Archaeology of Human Bones, Routledge, London.
  • Renfrew C., and Bahn, P.. (2000), Archaeology: Theory Methods and Practice, Thames and Hudson, London.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources