UNISA Archaeology Course Module 2024-2025

Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: AGE1501, AGE1502
NQF Level: 6: AGE2601, AGE2602, APY2601
NQF Level: 7: AGE3701, AGE3702, AGE3703, AGE3704, AGE3705
Anthropology and Archaeology as combined majors:
NQF level 5: APY1501, AGE1501, AGE1502, PLS1501 or DVA1501
NQF level 6: APY2601, APY2602, APY2613, AGE2601, AGE2602, GGH2603
NQF level 7: APY3701, APY3702, APY3703, APY3704, APY3705, AGE3701, AGE3702, AGE3703, AGE3704, AGE3705

Introduction to Archaeology – AGE1501
Under Graduate Degree	Semester module	NQF level: 5	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: introduces students to the subject of archaeology: its scope, aims, field methods, data collection and dating methods. Attention is given to the history of the discipline, archaeology’s relationship with other fields of study and the classification and interpretation of archaeological data.

The Archaeology of Southern Africa – AGE1502
Under Graduate Degree	Semester module	NQF level: 5	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: Students will be introduced to the scope and nature of the archaeological record in southern Africa with reference to the methods and source materials that archaeologists use to reconstruct the lifeways of past people. The module uses case studies to explore the contributions that archaeology is making in answering key questions about the evolution and development of human society in southern Africa including: the emergence of anatomically and behaviourally modern humans; the long-term relationship between humans and the environment; the arrival in southern Africa of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists; the emergence of the state; and the process and consequences of culture contact and globalisation. The role of archaeology in southern African society and its changing socio-political context will also be examined.

Archaeological Fieldwork Techniques and Analytical Methods – AGE2601
Under Graduate Degree	Year module	NQF level: 6	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To introduce students to the mapping and surveying of archaeological sites, excavation techniques, the recovery, conservation, classification and analysis of archaeological finds and collections.

African Archaeology – AGE2602
Under Graduate Degree	Year module	NQF level: 6	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To introduce students to Africa’s rich archaeological heritage, including Stone Age societies, the development of early states in sub-Saharan Africa (e.g. Mapungubwe, Great Zimbabwe, Kilwa and Jenne-jeno) as well as aspects of historical and maritime archaeology.

The Interpretation of Archaeological Data – AGE3701
Under Graduate Degree	Year module	NQF level: 7	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To gain insight into current theoretical perspectives in archaeology, and to demonstrate an understanding of the reconstruction of prehistoric technology, economic systems, diets, settlement patterns, social and political organisation, religion, gender relations, and the interpretation of culture change in the past.

Applied Archaeology: Heritage Conservation, Cultural Resource Management and Archaeotourism – AGE3702
Under Graduate Degree	Year module	NQF level: 7	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To introduce students to heritage legislation and conservation, cultural resource management, archaeotourism, contract archaeology and environmental impact assessments, the role of archaeology in education, public and community involvement in archaeology, and archaeology as a profession.

World Prehistory – AGE3703
Under Graduate Degree	Year module	NQF level: 7	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To introduce students to the spread of early human populations throughout the world, the archaeological evidence for the advent and development of food production in various parts of the world, and the origin and development of complex societies (cities, states and civilisations), inter alia, in Europe, Asia, the Near East, North Africa, Mesoamerica and the Andes.

Prehistoric Rock Art – AGE3704
Under Graduate Degree	Year module	NQF level: 7	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To introduce students to the prehistoric rock art of Africa (including the rock art of the San and southern Africa’s Iron Age farmers), Western Europe, Australia and North America, and demonstrate its significance for understanding the religious beliefs and customs of early societies.

Archaeology and Fossils: the Study of Human Evolution – AGE3705
Under Graduate Degree	Year module	NQF level: 7	Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To introduce students to evolutionary theory and the fossil evidence for human evolution, including the Australopithecinae, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, the Neandertals, archaic and anatomically modern Homo sapiens.

Theory and Interpretation in Archaeology – AGE4801
Honours	Year module	NQF level: 8	Credits: 12
Module presented in English		Module presented online
Purpose: To describe and critique the theoretical underpinnings of archaeological research.

Hunter-Gatherers and Herders in Africa – AGE4802
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 24
Module presented in English	Module presented online
	Co-requisite: AGE4801
Purpose: To describe and evaluate the archaeology of hunter-gatherers and herders in Africa during the Stone Age.

Early African Farming Communities and Complex Societies – AGE4803
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 24
Module presented in English	Module presented online
	Co-requisite: AGE4801
Purpose: To describe and evaluate the archaeology of early African farming communities and complex societies in sub-Saharan Africa.

Historical Archaeology – AGE4804
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 24
Module presented in English	Module presented online
	Co-requisite: AGE4801
Purpose: To describe and evaluate the archaeology of the modern world in national and international contexts.

Managing Archaeological Heritage – AGE4805
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 24
Module presented in English	Module presented online
	Co-requisite: AGE4801
Purpose: To evaluate and apply heritage legislation and management principles that are integral to the practice of Archaeological Heritage Management (also known as Cultural Resource Management).

Anthropological and Archaeological Research Report – HRAAR81
Honours	NQF level: 8	Credits: 36
Module presented in English	Module presented online
	Co-requisite: APY4801 or AGE4801
Purpose: A research report based on an archaeological study on a topic chosen by the student but approved by the Head of Archaeology must be submitted for examination.