Module: Medieval Archaeology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Medieval Archaeology
Module Code	HIS1033 (ITS: HY327)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	History & Geography
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

Archaeology is an essential source for the study of Medieval Irish history (c.500-c.1500AD). The results from excavations provide rich evidence for past societies in a period when traditional historical sources are incomplete. In particular, the lives of everyday people can be reconstructed from their material remains. Landscape archaeology, which examines the distribution of ancient sites, elucidates often obscure contemporary references to settlement. The history of the Early Medieval church, for example, is enhanced by examining the monastic ruins that dot the Irish landscape. The aim of this course is to introduce students to basic archaeological techniques and the key discoveries that have contributed to our knowledge of the past: Deer Park Farms ringfort; the Derrynaflan hoard; Viking Dublin, Bective Abbey, Trim Castle, rural medieval settlement, etc. Students will acquire the ability to apply archaeological findings to their own historic research. The course will include field trips to archaeological excavations, field monuments and museum collections.

Learning Outcomes

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2. Identify the nature of ‘primary’ source material, as the term applies to archaeological information.
5. 1
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7. Engage critically with secondary and primary source matter.
10. 2
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12. Comprehend and analyse the underlying philosophy behind archaeological methods and practice.
15. 3
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17. Deploy appropriate research methods and methodologies for analysing published archaeological reports and for creating original projects..
20. 4
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22. Identify, pursue and complete an original piece of research based on primary data. .
25. 5
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27. Convey the essential of a primary research project in a formal presentation.
30. 6
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32. Engage in self-directed learning by specialising in areas of personal interest.
35. 7

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	44	44 1 hour lectures, 4 hours per week
Assignment Completion	15	Gobbit
Class Presentation	25	Seminar presentations on the student’s research project
Field Trip	36	On site visits to current excavations and important medieval sites.
Assignment Completion	45	c.3,500 word essay based on student research
Assignment Completion	100	c. 5,000 word paper based on student's research project
Independent Study	25	Independent study
Total Workload: 290

Section Breakdown
CRN	20535	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale		Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category		Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator		Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Gobbit: Short written analysis of a primary source	5%	As required
Presentation	Seminar presentations on the student's research project	10%	As required
Essay	c.3,500 word essay based on student research	25%	As required
Research Paper	c.5,000 word paper based on the student's research project	60%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content
The nature of historical evidence and archaeology as a source for historians

Sources for the study of medieval archaeology

Excavation techniques, stratigraphy and publication

Methods of scientific dating – radio-carbon dating and dendro-chronology

Environmental archaeology: archaeozoology and palaeobotany

Case studies in Irish medieval archaeological excavations

The Archaeological Survey of Ireland and online resources

Case studies in Irish Medieval archaeological survey

Field trips

Student presentations

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None