An advanced programme available over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time)

Human beings construct themselves, and the societies within which they live, in a constant dialogue with the world of Nature. The study of this dialogue has been one of the most engaging and productive branches of archaeology in recent decades, and lies at the heart of our long-standing and very successful programme in Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoeconomy. This programme delivers both intensive training in environmental and economic archaeology (with the opportunity to specialise further in one branch of these related fields), and an understanding of how these skills and knowledge might be deployed to advance our understanding of the relationship between people and nature in the making of human history. Studies of contemporary ecology and economy are emphasised as a basis for investigating the past. The ability to reconstruct and understand past environments and economies is critical to both professional and academic archaeology. This programme is, therefore, designed both to appeal to those who want to pursue doctoral research in the subject, and to meet the need for skilled specialists within commercial archaeology, as well as in governmental and non-governmental organisations.

The programme offers a range of closely integrated core modules, which enable you to develop your experience and understanding of the method and theory of environmental archaeology and palaeoeconomy. You will learn to think critically and we will train you in a range of problem solving and analytical skills. You will acquire advanced IT skills (including use of relevant software packages, such as, SPSS, CANOCO and TILIA), we will familiarise you with GIS, and you will develop a range of general research (group-based seminar work, practical work and independent research) and presentational skills that can be applied in a broad range of employment contexts. We place a strong emphasis on developing your skills and knowledge ‘in the field’, within ongoing research projects and during fieldtrips.

Sheffield is the ideal place to pursue this programme. The teaching staff (including Glynis Jones on archaeobotany, Mike Charles on palaeoecology,

Umberto Albarella and Paul Halstead on zooarchaeology and the ethnoarchaeology of subsistence economies, and Gianna Ayala on geoarchaeology) are leading scholars in environmental and economic archaeology. Through their research and field projects (in Mediterranean regions, as well as the British Isles, Continental Europe and Western Asia) they are active in the generation of new knowledge about humanity’s relationship with, and creation of, the natural world – knowledge that feeds directly into their teaching. As in all our programmes, we stress the integration of ‘humanities’ and ‘science-based’ approaches to produce a deeper understanding of past humanity, and throughout provide you with the opportunity to work between and across different view points and approaches and to make your own mind up about their strengths and weaknesses. What we will ask of you, as a member of our lively academic community, is that you learn, think and develop your own answers to the questions raised.

Zooarchaeology laboratory

MSc in Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoeconomy

Programme Structure Six core modules provide you with key knowledge and understanding of environmental archaeology and palaeoeconomy –

Method and Theory in Archaeobotany – laboratory practical classes provide you with skills in the identification and quantification of ancient plant remains, of sampling and retrieval from archaeological contexts, and statistical analysis of plant samples. A series of seminars (on, for example, the preservation and composition of samples of plant remains; reconstructing ancient crop processing and husbandry practices, and the integration of evidence for animal and plant exploitation) situate these skills and knowledge in the context of past human practice (Jones, Charles).

Emmer wheat seeds from Bronze Age Greece

Method and Theory in Archaeozoology - laboratory practical classes provide you with skills in the identification and quantification of faunal remains: skeletal methods of ageing and sexing, recognition of evidence for butchery, pathology and taphonomic processes. A series of seminars (on, for example, sampling strategies and recovery techniques, past husbandry and carcass utilization practices, and the integration of evidence for plant and animal exploitation) situate these skills and knowledge in the context of past human practice – (Albarella, Halstead).

Method and Theory in Geoarchaeology – provides you with an introduction to geoarchaeological research, familiarises you with theoretical and logistical approaches, and introduces you to analytical techniques used to solve archaeological problems. In addition we explore key themes - such as the nature of site formation, buried and modified landscapes, and the integration of geoarchaeology in archaeological research (Ayala).

Method and Theory in Quaternary Palynology - serves as an introduction to the principles underpinning palynology, as well as providing practical and laboratory experience in the process of recovering, identifying and analysing pollen and spores.

Accompanying seminars cover topics such as the representativeness of the pollen record, the assembling of pollen data, environment modelling, and the integration of pollen and other data sources (Charles, Craigie).

Palaeoecology and Environmental Change - details the methods used to reconstruct past natural and human environments and, in a series of worked examples, explores how this information is used in archaeological site investigations, and in documenting broad shifts in past climates, vegetation and landscapes. (Ayala, Charles).

Theory and Method in Economic Archaeology – explores a series of key issues in pre-industrial - debates on the existence and nature of economy; concepts of optimality and rationality; the role of trade, markets and money; subsistence and socio-political structure; archaeological reconstruction of diet, land-use, plant and animal husbandry, and exchange; anthropological and archaeological debates on hunter-gatherers, pastoralists and agriculturalists (Albarella, Halstead, Jones).

Remains of burnt basket and bins for grain storage,

Bronze Age Assiros, Greece.

Computing & Data Analysis for Archaeologists – your subject specific modules are supported by training in computing, data analysis and presentation skills useful for archaeological research, and key transferable skills for other disciplines. The module introduces computer hardware and software that is useful for archaeologists, including packages for managing bibliographical information, producing reports, carrying out statistical tests, and accessing electronic sources for research. You will learn about the use of Multimedia, GIS and Image analysis techniques in archaeology as well as specialist statistical packages.

Finally, you complete a 60-credit dissertation in which you independently design and carry out a research project on a subject of your choice within the fields of environmental archaeology and palaeoeconomy.

Programme Requirements1

We welcome applications from candidates with a good honours degree (BA/BSc - 2.1/GPA 3.0 or better).

1 See also the Applying to Sheffield page for details of University entry and language requirements.