This unique programme reflects the central role which the Department of Archaeology has played in the development of archaeological approaches to battlefields and other aspects of conflictarchaeology. Over recent years battlefields, both ancient and modern, have come to be accepted as important elements of the world’s cultural heritage and this programme provides an ideal grounding for those interested in the archaeological potential of these fields of conflict.
The programme is based in the Centre for Battlefield Archaeology, which is actively engaged in a number of field projects, both within the UK and overseas. Wherever possible you will be encouraged to take part in ongoing projects and will benefit from the close association with the Scottish Centre for War Studies at the University. The programme will encourage you to engage with the subject on a practical basis and will involve fieldtrips to a number of battlefields relevant to your studies.
Content
The core courses provide a secure grounding in the study of battlefield and conflictarchaeology:
* The art of war, in conjunction with the Scottish Centre for War Studies, provides an introduction to the study of battle in its various forms, ranging from prehistoric conflict up to the 20th century
* Battlefield and conflictarchaeology - theory and practice places the sub-discipline within the context of the wider field of historical archaeology and explores the various cultural implications of conflict-related sites, the various techniques used to investigate them and their preservation and presentation.
The optional courses provide specialist paths for exploring particular areas of study in more detail. They draw upon the particular interests and expertise of the contributing staff and the options available may therefore vary slightly depending on staff availability. They are also subject to a minimum number of students.
You need to choose three options in all; two options are selected from the following:
* Roman warfare
* Medieval weapons and warfare
* Early modern warfare
* British battlefields.
One option is selected from any of the specialist courses offered in the MLitt in Professional Archaeology.
The MLitt dissertation is a sustained piece of scholarly work on a topic to be agreed and is undertaken between May and September.