Faculty of Arts

Archaeology Courses

Some courses may not be offered every semester.

Archaeology
ARCH 1100
Exploring Archaeology (3,0,0)

ARCH 1100 Exploring Archaeology (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Discover the fascinating world of archaeology with this survey of remarkable discoveries and intriguing mysteries as we explore ancient sites and cultures from around the world. Witness the remarkable journey of humanity through ancient technologies, 'lost' civilizations, great explorers, and modern discoveries. Students learn that the multidisciplinary field of archaeology is equal parts Arts and Science, discovery and adventure.
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 1110
Human Origins (2,1,0)

ARCH 1110 Human Origins (2,1,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

An introduction to the anthropological study of human origins. The course addresses the distinction between mythical and scientific explanations of the emergence of animal and human life. It outlines the basic principles of evolution and reviews the major stages of human prehistory. Although some attention is paid to the interplay between biology and culture, the course is designed for social science students who may lack extensive knowledge of biology.
Prerequisite: None.
Note: Students cannot receive credit for ARCH 1110 and ANTH 1110
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 2010
Introduction to Archaeology (2,1,0)

ARCH 2010 Introduction to Archaeology (2,1,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

An introduction to the discipline of archaeology, including the ways in which archaeologists reconstruct past cultures and lifeways, the development and major discoveries of archaeology, and the relationships between human material remains and human behavior. Students will gain an appreciation of what the past was like, what archaeological data are, and how archaeology is used to answer questions about the human condition.
Prerequisite: None.
Note: Students cannot receive credit for more than one of ARCH 2010, ARCH 1190 and ANTH 1190
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 2160
Ancient Civilizations (3,0,0)

ARCH 2160 Ancient Civilizations (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course provides a broad survey of the archaeology of ancient, pre-industrial, Old World, and New World civilizations. The course includes a brief overview of basic theoretical and methodological concepts in archaeology, thus accommodating students with no prior background in archaeology. Major topics of study include the origins of Neolithic farming; urbanism; wealth and power structures, social ranking, and the inevitable rise of the state; early systems of writing; the earliest civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China; the classical civilizations of the Mediterranean; and New World Central American and Andean civilizations. Prerequisites: ARCH 1110 and ARCH 2010 are recommended but not required
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both ARCH 2160 and ANTH 2160
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 2190
Ancient North Americans (3,0,0)

ARCH 2190 Ancient North Americans (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

A survey of the archaeological evidence for prehistoric colonization of North America, the expansion of Paleo- Indian hunters, the adaptations of archaic hunter-foragers to post-Ice Age environments, the origins of farming and village life, and the rise and fall of complex chiefdom societies. The course examines how technological innovations, population growth, natural resources, and social and ideological factors influenced the various cultural developments in different regions of North America.
Prerequisite: ARCH 1110 or ARCH 2010
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both ARCH 2190 and ANTH 2190
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 2230
Indigenous Peoples of British Columbia (2,1,0)

ARCH 2230 Indigenous Peoples of British Columbia (2,1,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

A survey of the traditional Indigenous cultures of British Columbia as known through ethnography and archaeology. Topics will include regional variation and adaptation in economy, technology, language, religion, art, medicine, kinship, and social organization. The contemporary social problems of the native peoples are not part of this course.
Prerequisite: An intro course in Anthropology is recommended
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both ARCH 2230 and ANTH 2230
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 2330
Old World Archaeology (3,0,0)

ARCH 2330 Old World Archaeology (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course offers a broad survey of prehistoric archaeology of the Old World. Through the exploration of archaeological evidence, students will follow the development of human culture, from the earliest material evidence of the Old Stone Age, through the development of increasingly complex and diverse cultures from ancient Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Prerequisite: ARCH 1110 or ARCH 2010
Note: Students who have credits for ANTH 2330 may not receive additional credit for this course.
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 3050
Theory in Archaeology (2,1,0) or (2,1,0)(2,1,0)

ARCH 3050 Theory in Archaeology (2,1,0) or (2,1,0)(2,1,0)

Credits: 6 credits
Delivery: Campus

Overview of major theoretical and methodological issues in archaeology, involving a history of archaeological thought, the formulation of research designs, and how archaeology fits into science. The student will gain an understanding of the general characteristics of the archaeological data base, and what paradigms, theories, and methods are used to address archaeological problems in culture, history, settlement, ecology, and technological change.
Prerequisite: ARCH 2010 and any 2000 level ARCH course.
Note: Students who have credits for ANTH 3050 may not receive additional credit for this course.
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 3060
Summer Field Training in Archaeology (3,0,0)

ARCH 3060 Summer Field Training in Archaeology (3,0,0)

Credits: 6 credits
Delivery: Campus

Intensive training in excavation techniques, and interpretation, including mapping procedures, recording preliminary analysis, and reporting. Students will participate in an excavation for the Summer session and will use this field experience as a basis for lectures, discussion, and reports. Lab Fee required.
Prerequisite: ARCH 3050 or permission of the instructor
Note: Students who have credits for ANTH 3060 may not receive additional credit for this course
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 3260
Environmental Archaeology (2,2,0)

ARCH 3260 Environmental Archaeology (2,2,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Interdisciplinary data recovery and methods of analysis from geology, soil sciences, botany, zoology, chemistry, physics, and ecology have resulted in specialized sub-fields in archaeology, including zooarchaeology, paleobotany, raw material sourcing, geophysical and geomorphic analysis, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and seasonality studies. Students examine the methods and theories employed by specialists in these fields to reconstruct past environments and explore the relationships between humans and important environmental resources and variables.
Prerequisite: ARCH 1110 or ARCH 2010; any 2000 level ARCH course. GEOG 1110; GEOG 1120 and GEOL 2050 recommended but not required.
Note: Students who have credits for ANTH 3260 may not receive additional credit for this course.
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 4060
Cultural Resource Management (2,1,0)

ARCH 4060 Cultural Resource Management (2,1,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students explore the practical, theoretical, social, and legal issues of managing humanity's cultural resources. Topics include the origins and application of heritage legislation within Canada, the United States, and abroad; illegal trafficking of antiquities; heritage issues in areas of armed conflict; contract archaeology; public archaeology; aboriginal heritage; and avocational archaeological societies.
Prerequisite: ARCH 1110 or 2010, and any 2000 level ARCH course.
Note: Students who have credits for ANTH 4060 may not receive additional credit for this course.
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 4110
***Prehistory of a Special Area in the New World

ARCH 4110 ***Prehistory of a Special Area in the New World

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Analysis of the prehistory of a selected New World area, including a summary of the literature and discussion of relevant problems. The course will provide background for students in North, Central, and South America area studies. Typical offerings include the prehistory of Mesoamerica, the Southwest, North America, and the Mayan areas.
Prerequisite: ARCH 3050 or ARCH 4200 or permission of the instructor
Note: Generally taught as companion course to ARCH 3060 Note that students cannot get credit for both ARCH 4110 and ANTH 4110
For more information, search for this course here.

ARCH 4200
Archaeology of British Columbia (3,0,0)

ARCH 4200 Archaeology of British Columbia (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 or 6 credits
Delivery: Campus

An advanced study of the prehistoric archaeology of interior and/or coastal British Columbia, including an analysis of the archaeological evidence, and interpretations of prehistoric cultural developments from selected field studies.
Prerequisite: ARCH 2190 Note that students cannot receive credit for both ARCH 4200 and ANTH 4200
For more information, search for this course here.