James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2001

AR2401:04

*NOTE* Maritime Archaeology

Townsville, Cairns

Prerequisites: 12 units of level 1 subjects
Inadmissable Subject Combination: AR2010 AR3401

26 lectures, 12 tutorials. First semester (Townsville campus); April intensive block mode (Cairns campus).

Staff: Assoc. Professor P Veth.

This subject provides an introduction to the methods and techniques of maritime archaeological investigation. A range of submerged structures is studied including shipwrecks, aircraft wrecks, ports, jetties and older indigenous sites. This subject also considers the role of maritime archaeology in relation to other sub-disciplines and disciplines.

Learning Objectives:

  1. become aware of techniques used in location, survey and recording of submerged structures;
  2. develop skills in interpreting underwater photomosaics, theodolite and triangulation surveys and in feature identification;
  3. understand the role of maritime archaeology as a theoretical sub-discipline in relation to other sciences;
  4. learn to evaluate critically archival data that may be of use in archaeological modelling.

Assessment by tutorial presentation and paper (25%); major essay (25%); two-hour end of semester examination (50%).