ARCHKRA001 Introduction to the study of archaeology

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Winter 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Vratislav Janák, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Vratislav Janák, CSc.
Institute of Historical Sciences – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Timetable
Thu 13:05–14:40 M5
Prerequisites
Oral exam
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Completion of the subject provides students with basic knowledge of tasks, methods and work procedures archaeological sciences; about its philosophical aspects and position among the social, specifically among the historical the sciences; about its history (the development of archaeological opinions and schools as a reflection of general intellectual development in the 19th and 20th century); the development of the natural environment in the neighborhood as one of the determining factors of the historical process; about anthropogenesis, i.e. the evolution of man to the current form of homo sapiens sapiens. This fundamental knowledge is essential for later ability graduate to handle the current rapid onset of a broad register of new progressive methods, originating from dozens of different ones social sciences, natural sciences and technical fields as well as various methodological considerations and show them and theirs results a proper place in the creation of one's own methodology in archaeological work.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student will orient himself in the basic knowledge of the tasks, methods and working procedures of archaeological science.
Syllabus
  • 1. Basic terminology. 2. The place and task of archeology in society and its position among historical sciences. Collaborating Scientist disciplines and so-called interdisciplines. 3. Archaeological sources, their overview and characteristics. 4. Archaeological culture as a basic element of the archaeological classification system (taxonomy) and relationship of this system to historical reality. 5. Phases of the archaeologist's work and its methods. 6. Chronology (relative, absolute) and periodization. 7. Typology as the basis of relative chronology and archaeological taxonomy. 8. Methods of absolute dating. 9. The natural environment in prehistory and its relationship to history. 10. Anthropogenesis. 11. History of archaeology, its basic phases. 12. Basics of professional work. Notepad and other formal requirements. 13. Current organization of archaeological work in the Czech lands and Central Europe. Basic syntheses and journals.
Literature
    required literature
  • Bouzek, J. (ed.): Dějiny archeologie I, II, Praha 1983, 1984.
  • Podborský, V.: Úvod do studia archeologie. Brno 2014.
  • Podborský, V.: Dějiny pravěku a rané doby dějinné. Brno 1997 (a reedice), (úvodní pasáže).
  • Kuna, M. (ed.): Pravěký svět a jeho poznání, Archeologie pravěkých Čech, 1, Praha 2007.
    recommended literature
  • Eggert, M. K. H.: Prähistorische Archäologie. Konzepte und Methoden. Tübingen - Basel 2001.
  • Binford, L. R.: Archaeology as anthropology, American Antiquity 28, 1962, 217-225
  • Clarke, D. L.: Analytical archaelogy, London 1968.
  • Gamble, C.:Archaeology. The Basic, London - New York 2001.
Teaching methods
lecture
Assessment methods
Oral exam
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2022, Winter 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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