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Social Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Discourses

Code: 44476
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Prehistoric Archaeology OB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Rafael Mico Perez
Email :
rafael.mico@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Pedro Vicente Castro Martínez
Vicenç Lull Santiago
Raquel Piqué Huerta
Rafael Mico Perez
Antoni Palomo Pérez

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites needed.

Objectives

Updated exposition of the state of the art and future prospects regarding key theoretical and methodological issues and problems, within the framework of research in Prehistoric Archeology. 

The approaches developed in the subjects included in the module address different dimensions of research, from the most general (the theoretical bases of knowledge and "Archaeological discourses") to those that link theory, methods and instrumental methodologies applied to different empirical manifestations (Ethnoarchaeology and Experimental Archaeology, Archaeology of settlements, Archaeology of burial practices).

Learning outcomes

  1. That the students can apply their knowledge and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study.
  2. That students are able to integrate knowledge and handle complexity and formulate judgments based on information that was incomplete or limited, include reflecting on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
  3. That students have the learning skills that enable them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.
  4. Identify the theoretical areas of application in prehistoric archaeology.
  5. Identify the analytic areas of application in prehistoric archaeology.
  6. Use the categories and concepts that belong to the field of study appropriately.
  7. Analyse the general foundations of the main theoretical propositions, by applying these in areas of study within prehistoric archaeology.
  8. Analyse the general methodological foundations of prehistoric archaeology, by applying these in its areas of study.
  9. Implement protocols for conducting field work and sample collection.
  10. Critically apply research techniques in prehistoric archaeology.
  11. Innovate by bringing creativity and originality to prehistoric archaeology studies, with a clear commitment to quality.
  12. Incorporate ethical considerations into cultural projects, showing respect for diversity of opinion, personality and behaviour.
  13. Apply criteria of scientific rigour when performing academic and professional tasks.
  14. Incorporate ethical considerations into the analysis of the cultural needs of different groups.
  15. Evaluate the real potential for influencing the public through cultural action.
  16. Include gender perspectives, universal accessibility and multiculturalism when proposing and reflecting on work.

Contents

The contents of the module are related to experiences, reflections and proposals derived from the development of interdisciplinary projects in charge of different members of the Department of Prehistory. This fact guarantees a direct interrelation between the approach of issues and problems in the current research framework, with the implementation of solutions in the context of case studies worked first-hand by the teaching team. The contents of the different subjects aim to combine the application of theoretical criteria, methodological implications and empirical particularities.


Archaeological discourses (V. Lull - 1 ECTS)



  • Fundamentals of research in archaeology: archaeological objects, subjects.

  • Recent trends in the proposal of archaeological discourses (symmetric archeology): the tension between narratives and knowledge.


Ethnoarchaeology and experimental archaeology (R. Piqué / A. Palomo - 1 ECTS)



  • Concepts and definition. Theoretical and methodological bases of ethnoarchaeology and experimental archaeology.

  • History of ethnoarchaeology and experimental archaeology.

  • Contributions to contemporary archaeology: taphonomy, production and consumption processes, use of space, symbolism and ritual.


Theory and analysis of settlements (P. V. Castro-Martinez - 2 ECTS)



  • Social Space, Archaeological Site, Settlement.

  • From the Activity Areas to the Settlements: Structuring the Social Space.

  • Categories of Settlements: criteria and implications.


The Archeology of funerary practices (R. Micó - 2 ECTS)



  • Introduction: archaeology and the study of funerary assemblages.

  • Funerary assemblages and funerary practices: definition, informative potential and analytical remarks.

  • Theoretical and methodological trends in the research on funerary practices: proposals and case studies.

  • The archaeology of burial practices in contemporary political struggles.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Seminars & Public presentations 25 1 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Lecture 36 1.44 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 16
Reading & studying 89 3.56 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16

Directed activities: lectures, public presentations, discussion seminars.

Supervised activities: tutorials and supervised learning exercises (individual or in small groups).

Autonomous activities: searching of documentation, reading of publications, writing of essays, study; seminars and conferences.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Conferences and complementary activities 5 0 0 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16
Exams 25 0 0 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 16
Submission of term papers 50 0 0 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16
Public presentations 20 0 0 2, 6, 11, 14, 15, 16

Submission of twerm papers.

Public presentations.

Participation in seminaris.

Exams.


This subject does not allow a single assessment.


Students will obtain a not assessed/not submitted course grade unless they have submitted more than 30 % of the assessment items.


On carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers will inform students of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.


Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.


This subject allows the use of AI technologies exclusively for support tasks such as bibliographic or content-based searches, text correction or translations.

The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity.

Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may even be awarded a zero. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.


In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

Bibliography

ARNOLD, B. & JESKE, R. J. (2014),”The Archaeology of Death: Mortuary Archaeology in the United States and Europe 1990-2013”, Annual Review of Anthropology, 43, pp. 325-346.

AURENCHE, O. (2012), Vous avez dit ethnoarchéologue? Choix d'articles (1972-2007). Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée' Jean Pouilloux (Série Archéologique 16), LYON

BINFORD, L. R. (1972), “Mortuary practices: their study and their potential”, en BINFORD, L. R., An Archaeological Perspective. Seminar Press, Nueva York, pp. 208-243.

BINFORD, L. (1988), En busca del pasado. Crítica, Barcelona.

CASTRO MARTINEZ, P.V.,  ESCORIZA MATEU, T. y SANAHUJA YLL, Mª E. (2002). “Trabajo y Espacios Sociales en el Ambito Doméstico. Producción y prácticas sociales en una unidad doméstica de la Prehistoria de Mallorca”, Geocrítica-Scripta Nova. Revista Electrónica de Geografía y Ciencias Sociales, VI, 119 (10).

CASTRO MARTINEZ, P.V.,  ESCORIZA MATEU, T., OLTRA PUIDOMENECH, J., OTERO VIDAL, M. y SANAHUJA YLL, Mª E. (2003). “¿Qué es una ciudad? Aportaciones para su definición desde la prehistoria”, Geocrítica-Scripta Nova. Revista Electrónica de Geografía y Ciencias Sociales, VII, 146 (10).

CASTRO-MARTINEZ, PV; ESCORIZA MATEU, T (2009), “Lugares Reales y Lugares Ideales. Realidad y Construcción de Ficciones en Arqueología”, Cuadernos de Prehistoria de la Universidad de Granada, 19.

CHAPMAN, R. W., KINNES, I. & RANDSBORG, K. (eds.) (1981), The Archaeology of Death.Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

CLARKE, D. L. (ed) (1977), Spatial archaeology, Academic Press, Londres.

CRUBÉZY, E., MASSET, Cl., LORANS, E., PERRIN, F. &TRANOY, L. (2000), Archéologie funéraire. Errance, París.

DAVID, N. & KRAMER, C. (2001), Ethnoarchaeology in Action. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

GALLAY, A. (2011), Pour une ethnoarchéologie théorique. Mérites et limites de l'analogie ethnographique. Errance, París.

GONZÁLEZ RUIBAL, A. (2003), La experiencia del otro. Una introducción a la Etnoarqueología. Akal Arqueología, Madrid.

HODDER, I. (1982), Symbols in action: ethnoarchaeological studies of material culture. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

LEFEBVRE, H (1962), Critique de la vie quotidienne, Arché Editeur, Paris, “Le Sens de la Marche” (Crítica de la vida cotidiana, México, FCE, 1979).

LULL, V. (2000), “Death and Society: A Marxist Approach”, Antiquity, 74, pp. 576-580.

LULL, V. (2016), “Muerte y espectáculo en arqueología”, MARQ. Arqueología y Museos, 7, pp. 11-33.

LULL, V. & PICAZO, M. (1989), “Arqueología de la Muerte y estructura social”, Archivo Español de Arqueología, 62, pp. 5-20.

PALOMO, A., PIQUE. R., TERRADAS, X. 2013. Experimentación en arqueología. Estudio y difusión del pasado. Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya, Barcelona

SAYER, D. (2010), Ethics and Burial Archaeology. Duckworth, Londres.

TRIGGER, B. G. (1967), “Settlement Archaeology-Its Goals and Promise”, American Antiquity, 32, pp. 149-160.

VILA, A. (2006), Etnoarqueología de la prehistoria: más allá de la analogía. Treballs d’Etnoarqueologia, 6, UAB-CSIC.

 

This list might be enlarged in the context of particular subjects.

Software

Software:public presentations, word processors, spreadsheets.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TEm) Theory (master) 1 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon