This course provides an overview of the principle dating techniques used within archaeology and, more generally, the Quaternary. Starting with fundamental principles such as stratigraphy and relatively simple methods such as dendrochronology (tree-ring dating), the course will progress to examine some of the main scientifically based methods, such as radiocarbon, U-series, potassium/argon, luminescence and electron spin resonance dating. Students will learn to design dating strategies, evaluate published datasets and build chronological models to interrogate archaeological and palaeoenvironmental hypotheses. Where possible, the course will include visits to the respective laboratories.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. explain the basic principles underlying the dating techniques applied to archaeological and quaternary palaeoenvironmental questions;
2. identify and critically evaluate which techniques are most appropriate to use in distinct archaeological and palaeoenvironmental contexts;
3. use examples to illustrate the advantages and limitations of the dating methods;
4. critically assess whether a published chronological dataset is able to answer an archaeological or palaeoenvironmental question; and
5. construct a chronological model to test an archaeological or palaeoenvironmental hypothesis.

Research-Led Teaching

This course is is guided by research-led teaching.

1. It will include the research of several researchers at the ANU and a guest lecturer from Southern Cross University.
2. It aims to teach you how to critically assess, analyse and interpret chronological data. The tutorials will begin by providing exercises to help explain the methods (weeks 1-3). In later tutorials, after a few exercises to aid understanding of the methods, you will develop skills to critically analyse a series of papers related to major research questions (weeks 4-10).
3. You will learn data analysis skills used by geochronologists (week 6, tutorial). OxCal is a widely used program designed to calibrate and statistically analyse radiocarbon dates, and the associated assessment will require you to build and interpret models to answer a current question in archaeology (there is no right answer!).

Field Trips

Visit to the radiocarbon dating lab (week 3) and the physics accelerator (week 11)

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• discussion with class representative

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course overview; Introduction to age, time & chronology
2	Stratigraphy and marker horizons	Small quiz
3	Radiocarbon dating I
4	Radiocarbon dating II	Small quiz
5	Chronological modeling
6	Chronology and the new statistics	Big quiz
7	Trapped charge dating	Chronological modelling report due
8	Radioactive decay (K/Ar, Ar/Ar); Amino Acid Racemisation (AAR)	Small quiz
9	Radioactive decay (U/Th, U/Pb, 210Pb, Fission track)
10	Archaeomagnetic dating	Small quiz
11	Cosmogenic dating	Script for Unbelievable truths due
12	Recap and future directions	Big quiz
13		Creative assignment due

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Biweekly quizzes	40 %	1,2,3,4
Chronological modelling report	30 %	1,2,5
Group activity: script for playing the game Unbelievable Truths of Scientific Dating	10 %	1,2,3
Creative assignment	20 %	1,2,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation at tutorials is required. Participation in lectures is highly encouraged.

Examination(s)

None.

Assessment Task 1

Biweekly quizzes

Small quizzes will take place in weeks 2, 4, 8, 10. They will last 20 min cover material of the previous 2 weeks. Each will count towards 5% of the final grade.

Big quizzes will take place in weeks 6 and 12. They will last 40 min and cover material from the previous 5 weeks. Each will count towards 10% of the final grade.

Assessment Task 2

Chronological modelling report

An original 1,000 word essay reporting your findings of testing the Kulturepumpe hypothesis using OxCal.

Assignment expectations and grading rubric will be provided through Wattle and explained in week 5 lecture.

Assessment Task 3

Group activity: script for playing the game Unbelievable Truths of Scientific Dating

Submit a script for playing the game Unbelievable Truths of Scientific Dating, created through collaborative group work.

Assignment expectations and grading rubric will be provided through Wattle and explained in week 10 tutorial.

Assessment Task 4

Creative assignment

Using a creative format of your choice (e.g., flowchart, interactive website, poster, powerpoint slides, other), summarise the main aspects (materials, age range, dated event, precision, assumptions) of the dating techniques covered in this course.

Assignment expectations and grading rubric will be provided through Wattle and explained in week 8 lecture

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students