Applied Landscape Archaeology

Overview

The Applied Landscape Archaeology course at the University of Oxford is taught using a combination of lectures/seminars in Oxford, field visits and practical work, supported by tutor contact and information supplied via a Virtual learning Environment (VLE) which can be accessed at any time.

Landscape Archaeology is an increasingly popular and widely-understood concept. Using a multi-period systematic approach, it is concerned with understanding past human impacts on the resources, topography and environment of the whole landscape, from uplands to coasts, and from farmed landscapes to urban/industrial areas.

Many methods of research are being developed in landscape archaeology, including geophysical survey, digital mapping and remote-sensing techniques such as LiDAR. These take their place alongside fieldwalking, historic landscape analysis, aerial photography and selective excavation to provide an effective armoury of techniques for the researcher. Skills such as survey and resource assessment are becoming essential for anyone involved in the management of the historic environment. Effective communication and presentation of the value and potential of the historic landscape is vital in the world of planning, tourism, outreach and education.

The course involves a combination of academic study and field practice - survey and geophysics form a central theme, and we enjoy the support of Bartington Instruments Ltd for this.

This course is designed to appeal to those who already have experience of studying archaeology (or a closely-related subject) at undergraduate degree or diploma level and who wish to expand their academic, practical and professional skills in landscape archaeology. With a strong (but not exclusive) emphasis on the archaeology of Britain, it focuses on the applications of research methods in varying landscape situations. The course format is flexible and enables students to pursue their own research interests leading to a 15,000 word dissertation.

www.conted.ox.ac.uk/msc-in-applied-landscape-archaeology

Graduate destinations

A number of students have gone on to DPhil/PhD programmes at Oxford and elsewhere, several of which have been funded. Others have developed their careers in UK and European heritage professions, including working for organisations such as Historic England, The National Trust for Scotland, Oxford Archaeology, National Museums Liverpool, Ministry of Defence, National Maritime Museum, McDonald Institute (University of Cambridge) county and regional heritage, HERs and curatorial advisory services, Portable Antiquities Scheme, and in commercial consultancy and field practice.