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2025-2026 / PSTG0050-1

Specialised prehistory placement

Duration

Number of credits

 Master in history of art and archaeology : general, research focus10 crédits 

Lecturer

Veerle Rots, Sonja Tomasso

Coordinator

Veerle Rots

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

All year long

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Part 1: approach of lithic industries through the topics of technology, "chaînes opératoires", etc.

Part 2: caracterisation of the raw materials, introduction to petrography.

Part 3 : introduction to microwear analysis and experimental work.

Part 2: analysis of a lithic assemblage.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Understand how the technological approach has developed with all its components and tendencies. Be able to develop a technological analysis including its variations depending on the school of thought (french, anglo-saxon). Be able to recognize the main technological traits resulting from the knapping methods and techniques used, etc.

Learn how to characterize lithic raw materials.

Understand how the function of stone tools is identified and how an experimental program is organised.

Analyse the lithic material and field data from a hypothetical archaeological site and be able to integrate field data (including stratigraphic and spatial data) with petrographic, technologic and functional data, in view of the interpretation of the site.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Knowledge in Prehistory and Palaeolithic are requested.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Seminars in laboratory, field training, use of microscopes, manipulation of lithic material, practical exercices.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Teaching face-to-face and independant work in the laboratory.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

A reference list will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Further information:

Evaluation is based on active participation in the seminairs and on the written papers.

 

The use of artificial intelligence is prohibited, except for use as a language assistant: this assistance relates to the improvement (wording, formatting, etc.) of texts that you have written. It is comparable to existing spelling and grammar checkers.

In the event of suspected unauthorised use of AI, the course instructor reserves the right to summon the student to an oral examination, the mark of which will constitute the final mark. The sole purpose of this examination will be to verify the student's knowledge of the subject matter in order to rule out the unauthorised use of generative AI. The time slot for this possible oral exam will be announced in the exam schedule. The student concerned will be notified as soon as possible and no later than 48 hours before the exam. If the oral exam confirms the lecturer's suspicion, the student may be given a grade of 'F' in accordance with the provisions of the RGEE, with the possibility of disciplinary proceedings. If the lecturer's suspicion cannot be confirmed or if doubt remains, the traditional grading system will be applied.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Veerle Rots

Association of one or more MOOCs