Roman Archaeology

BA (Hons) Roman Archaeology

Delivery method: Full-time, Part-time
Course Reference: BARA

Course Overview

This new course will focus on the archaeological remains and material culture of the North Western provinces of the Roman Empire from the late 1st Century BC through to the 5th Centruy AD, underpinned by a strong focus on practical field archaeological skills.

The study of Roman archaeology is a long and well established discipline, with components encompassing all aspects of material and artefact analysis, religion, military studies, urban development, trade and exchange, industrial processes, faunal remains, population data and the examination of early written texts.

With an emphasis on practical learning, the programme combines taught lectures and seminar work with field work including at a newly discovered Roman site. Southern England is rich in Roman remains and students may visit sites such as Fishbourne, Rockbourne and Maiden Castle.

There will also be field trips to temples, villas, settlements, major towns like Dorchester and Chichester, the New Forest pottery industries and the harbour at Poole. Students can expect to follow careers as finds and period specialists as well as being competent field practitioners. The School of Conservation Sciences has an internationally renowned reputation for producing highly skilled archaeologists with excellent careers at English Heritage, Historic Scotland and the National Trust; leading commercial units such as the Museum of London Archaeology Services, Oxford Archaeology, Cotswold Archaeology and Wessex Archaeology; as well as museums and archaeology consultancies.

The teaching of Archaeology at Bournemouth achieved an "Excellent" rating from the Subject Review carried out by QAA in 2001. Candidates lacking relevant qualifications to enter at Level C may be considered for entry through the FdSc Field Archaeology.

Mature student entry is encouraged, candidates being considered

The Student experience
At Bournemouth, our interests range from Prehistory, Roman and Medieval through to artefacts and environmental archaeology.

Our research findings are integrated with our teaching. Our high quality research was rated "3A" following the RAE assessment in Dec 2001 and out teaching achieved an "Excellent" rating of 22/24 by the QAA.

The focus of the Centre for Archaeology, Anthropology and Heritage is the investigation, interpretation, conservation, management, and contemporary use of archaeological remains of all ages from prehistory to the present day.

Your studies may include analyzing ancient artefacts and materials; investigating and recording historic buildings and structures; reconstructing palaeoenvironments; applying archaeological science and remote sensing to archaeological problems; developing public archaeology and professional practice; and caring for museum collections.

We have five areas the Centre for Archaeology, Anthropology and Heritage:

Landscape, townscape and coastal archaeology
The focus of work here is understanding patterning in, and changes to, the way human communities engage with, modify and construct their surroundings.

Environmental archaeology
This covers soil science, palaeobotany, ethnoenvironmental studies, the study of faunal remains, human osteoarchaeology and funerary archaeology.

Forensic archaeology and anthropology
This area is concerned with the application of archaeological and anthropological approaches to the service of the courts and assisting police forces and other agencies in the resolution of serious crime including murder and genocide.

Cultural resource management
Principally concerned with the identification, recording, assessment, investigation, protection, conservation, display and interpretation of all aspects of the historic environment.

Technology, production and ancient materials
Work in this area focuses on ancient technology; the use, trade and exchange of ancient artifacts and materials; the physical and socially constructed properties of artifacts made of ceramic, metal, glass and other inorganic substances and the sourcing of materials and objects.

The course differs significantly from a traditional archaeology course. As well covering all the theoretical subjects, the course contains extensive fieldwork, including a training excavation in Year 1 and placement in Year 2, and covers the core curriculum of the Institute of Field Archaeologists. The course also includes transferable skills so that graduates possess a range of expertise in areas that are in high demand by potential employers.

The specific units differentiating this course from our BSc Archaeology course are:

• Archaeology and History of the Roman Empire;
• The Army and Frontiers of Rome;
• Towns and Culture in the Roman West;
• Roman Specific Archaeological Work Experience;
• The Archaeology of Roman Britain;
• Iron Age Britain.

Archaeology is not just about working to explore the past.

Here at Bournemouth University, it is also very much about working in the present as the skills learnt can be applied to 20th century history. Our students may follow a path after graduation that leads to working in the recently established field of forensic archaeology in which the School is world leading.

Our staff and postgraduate students have recently been working in arenas that range from the discovery and repatriation of remains from First World War graves to providing evidence for the prosecution of war crimes in The Hague.

We are part of the Erasmus/Socrates programme so you may be able to undertake a period of study at one of the participating overseas universities as part of your degree course.