Undergraduate Course: Archaeological Illustration (ARCA10014)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course is not solely about drawings and does not aim to teach students to become expert in draughting, surveying or photography. It does aim to introduce them to some of the complexities surrounding the visual presentation or archaeological material and to teach them the value of visual material, how to assess it, create it and use it. Visual presentation in archaeology covers a wide range of formats from the drawing and photography to museum display, conference exhibition or site presentation. Most of these aspects are covered in the course. |
| Course description |
This course will introduce students to both theoretical and practical aspects of the methods of presenting and representing archaeological finds. The theoretical aspects will include a historical overview of how archaeological sites and objects have been depicted and visually reconstructed in the past two centuries; the problems and challenges of archaeological illustration today; a presentation of the principal techniques of traditional and digital illustration; the requirements for standard academic presentation and publication.
The practical sessions of the course will focus on:
- digital drawing of plans and sections from excavated sites, using bitmap and vector graphic programmes (Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator);
- pen-and-ink and digital drawing of stone tools, pottery, metalwork, wood and bone artefacts, using agreed convention for specialists study and publication;
- photography: basic tips to produce visual records of archaeological landscapes, sites, building and artefacts, including improvement processing;
- digital imaging techniques (RTI, DStretch) to investigate the fabric of artefacts and artworks;
- 3D photogrammetry to produce and present interactive models of sites and artefacts;
- interpretation and reconstruction illustrations, from early artistic works to most recent 3D virtual reality and video.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Pre-requisites: Archaeology 2A and 2B, or Honours entry to degrees in Classics, or equivalent. |
| Additional Costs | None. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 Archaeology courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 16 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
2 Projects - 50% each |
| Feedback |
Students will receive written feedback on their coursework, and will have the opportunity to discuss that feedback further with the Course Organiser during their published office hours or by appointment. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the history and development of archaeological illustration; of the basic methods employed in the preparation, production and presentation of illustrations; of the drawing conventions and standards for the illustration of small finds; of public presentation issues including virtual reconstruction of sites and artefacts;
- demonstrate basic drawing and computer graphic skills, visual analysis, critical and interpretative skills;
- demonstrate an ability to produce and use maps, charts and diagrams, and to present graphic work for publication,
- demonstrate an ability to use cameras, computer aided graphic programmes, and internet presentation design.
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Reading List
Griffiths, N., Jenner, A. and Wilson, C. 1991. Drawing archaeological finds: a handbook. London: Archetype Publications.
Dillon, B.D. (ed.) 1985. The student's guide to archaeological illustrating. Los Angeles: Institute of Archaeology.
Molyneaux, B.L. (ed.) 2013. The cultural life of images: visual representation in archaeology. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
Martingell, H. and Saville, A. 1988. The illustration of lithic artefacts: a guide to drawing stone tools for specialist reports. Lancaster: Association of Archaeological Illustrators & Surveyors Cardiff.
Allen, S.J. 1994. The illustration of wooden artefacts: an introduction and guide to the depiction of wooden objects from archaeological excavations. Oxford: Association of Archaeological Illustrators & Surveyors.
Hurman, B. and Steiner, M. (eds) 1997. Aspects of illustration: prehistoric pottery. Exeter: Association of Archaeological Illustrators and Surveyors.
Dorrell P. 1989. Photography in archaeology and conservation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Smiles, S. and Moser, S. (eds) 2005. Envisioning the past: archaeology and the image. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell.
Piggott, S. 1978. Antiquity Depicted: Aspects of Archaeological Illustration. London: Thames and Hudson.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Arch Illust |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Guillaume Robin
Tel: (0131 6)50 9963
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Summer Wight
Tel: (0131 6)50 4580
Email: |
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