Temaomtale ARK111

Tilbys ikke våren 2023

As archaeologists, we try to understand the past through the material traces that people have left behind. By analysing artefacts, we hope to understand aspects such as adaptation to the environment, the structure of society, and even beliefs and worldviews. But how can one tell how an artefact was made and what it was used for? And how do archaeologists work with all the detailed data they collect for individual objects to create a picture of life in the past? In short, how does the scientific process of collecting and interpreting data work?

In this course, you will first get an introduction to osseous technology, which is the transformation of hard materials from animal origin (such as bone, antler, shells) for artefact production. This introduction will help you understand how we can tell an artefact from an unworked bone and find out how it was made and what for. After this, you will apply this knowledge to real Stone Age objects from collections at the Bergen Museum. Under expert guidance, you will learn to identify different kinds of tools, and to use their changing frequencies over time and in space to find out more about how an archaeological site was used by human groups.

The course will therefore give you a hands-on introduction into the process of knowledge creation, and your work will contribute to the better understanding of a Stone Age site. In addition, you will experience what working with objects is like, gaining an insight into some of the core aspects of a career in the museum sector or in finds analysis.