This intensive course, a collaboration with EXTENT Heritage, introduces you to procedural and practical skills required to work effectively as a professional archaeologist in Australia. By doing so it eases your transition between academic and industry worlds, addressing key criteria identified by the central archaeology body in Australia - The Australian Archaeology Association. During this course we will complete field and lab-based exercises, including archaeological research, mapping (e.g. photogrammetry and GIS), artefact and feature analyses, also post-survey analysis of lithic and other artefacts. Finally, you will work towards drafting an Aboriginal site assessment in line with State Government legislation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- demonstrate understanding of ethical, legal and OHS frameworks relevant to professional archaeology in Australia;
- acquire skills and aptitudes relevant to professional archaeology including Aboriginal consultation, mapping and archaeological/geoarchaeological survey;
- synthesise research into an Aboriginal Site Assessment; and
- critically evaluate and review archaeological site reports, and excavation results and strategies.
Work Integrated Learning
Fieldwork
This course involves training by academics but also archaeology consultants, and was co-designed by both with the aim of upskilling students so they are competitive in the cultural heritage- archaeology industry. It provides off campus field experience in which you will learn skills directly aligned with future careers in industry. Assignments involve reports regularly submitted by archaeology consultants adhering to state government requirements. This course will also involve consultation with Aboriginal custodians, some of whom were involved in its inception.
Indicative Assessment
- Aboriginal Heritage Assessment (Part 1 – field recording) (30) [LO 1,2]
- Aboriginal Heritage Assessment (Part 2 - Final Report) (40) [LO 3]
- Applied Archaeology Exercise (15) [LO 2]
- Aboriginal Heritage Assessment (Critical Review) (Approx. 1500 words) (15) [LO 4]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 57 hours of contact consisting of:
41 hours of practical workshops (Lectorials) over a 5 day, intensive period
16 hours over two days (field-trip); and
b) 73 hours of independent student research, reading and writing. The entire course will be completed within a 3-week period
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
Smith, C and H. Burke (2007). Digging it up Down Under. Springer, NY
Preliminary Reading
For land survey/geoarchaeology component: The National Committee for Soil and Terrain. 2009. Australian Soil and Land Survey Field Handbook. CSIRO Publishing
For lithic artefact analysis: Holdaway and Stern (2004). A record in stone : the study of Australia's flaked stone artefacts. Museum Victoria and Aboriginal Studies Press, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra
For faunal analysis: Filios, M. and Blake, N. 2015. Animal bones in Australian archaeology: a field guide to common native and introduced species, Sydney: Sydney University Press.
Assumed Knowledge
N/A
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Autumn Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5361 | 01 Apr 2026 | TBA | TBA | 30 Jun 2026 | In Person | N/A |