ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE OXFORD UNIVERSITY - POSTGRADUATE

label Masterate autorenew 2025-09-29, 16:53
The principal centre for research in the application of scientific techniques to archaeological problems is the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art which has recently relocated to the Dyson Perrins Building, in the University Science Area. There is also an Environmental Archaeology Group based at the University Museum. Suitably qualified candidates are admitted to study for a DPhil wholly or partly in Archaeological Science.Courses of studyThere are two taught courses in Archaeological Science. The MSt by coursework comprises two terms of taught material, as for the MSt, and a six-week practical project in an area covered by the taught course. Candidates for both courses are also required to undertake two written examination papers. Both courses involve spending time in the laboratory gaining a detailed understanding of a wide range of techniques. Teaching takes place in the form of tutorials and classes. The courses cover the principles and practice of scientific dating, biomolecular archaeology and materials analysis. They are aimed both at candidates with purely scientific backgrounds and those with a first degree in archaeology, and may even be taken as a stand-alone course or in preparation for doctoral research. Scientists joining the course are expected to attend archaeology lectures to give them some relevant background. If required, help will be given in acquiring the background science necessary for the course.Candidates are admitted by the Committee for the School of ArchaeologyProspective research students normally need a good honours degree in an appropriate branch of the natural sciences or archaeology.The main areas of research are: (a) Radiocarbon dating (by accelerator mass spectrometry) of micro-samples and related studies of the processes of chemical change at the molecular level to archaeological materials.(b) The recovery of biochemical information from archaeological materials, with a focus on the reconstruction of ancient diet from the composition of ancient bone and related biologial tissues. The application of stable isotope analysis to such studies and their environmental context.(c) Luminescence dating of materials such as sediments, burnt flint and pottery from archaeological contexts.(d) Provenance and technology studies of pottery, glass, stone metals and organic materials.(e) Teprochronology - the use of microscopic volcanic glass layers in sediments as a chronostratigraphic marker.