Archaeology Laboratory

You'll get the chance to analyse artefacts, animal bones and plant remains from many different periods of the past. We also use this facility to teach you how to process and prepare environmental samples.

The archaeology lab supports students working in three main areas. It is used for the study of all kinds of prehistoric and historical artefacts, such as pottery, metalwork and stone tools. Detailed analysis of past technology such as this is an important part of understanding all aspects of life in the past. It is also used for the study of animal remains (zooarchaeology).

This allows staff and students to study the diet, economy and belief systems of past peoples through the study of the animals they farmed and hunted. We have invested in an extensive comparative reference collection which covers the vertebrate species of Britain and Northern Europe.

Finally it is also used for environmental sample processing. We have two new state-of-the-art flotation tanks which allow us to efficiently process bulk soil samples for the recovery of carbonized or waterlogged macroscopic plant remains. This provides valuable information on past environments, past diets and potential samples for radiocarbon dating.

Detailed information

Kit list

2 floatation tanks for bulk sample analysis; 10 binocular optical microscopes; calipers; osteometric boards; sieve sets

Availability

Open 9.00am - 5.00pm during the week, except when booked for a taught session. Bookings are handled by timetabling and staff room bookings system.

Location

The Archaeology Laboratory can be found in 124 of the Maudland Building

General enquiry