Archaeology, Theory and Method

Name: Archaeology, Theory and Method
Code: HIS02451L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area: Archeology

Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

- To know and identify the main archaeological theories and their methodological impact
- To identify the main steps in the archaeological theory and method, knowing how the main developments were achieved
- To evaluate the forms as the main research is conditioned by subjective situations that can, intentionally or not, be important to the discipline.

Contents

Key concepts: Archaeological Theory; Identitiy; Methodology

1. Conceptual Evolution
2. Archaeology before archaeology
2.1. The world creation as seen in the pre-classical civilizations
2.2. Between History and Ethnography
2.3. The biblical narrative
3. The modern archaeology: antiquarism, romanticism, the connection to the earth sciences
3.1. Between history, anthropology and ethonography
3.2. The development in the field techniques
4. Historical-culturalist Archaeology
4.1. Identity, culture, ethnicity
4.2. Difusionism
4.3. Marxist archaeology
5. "New Archaeology"
5.1. The ecological approach
5.2. The processualist approach
5.3. The experimentalist contribution
6. Post-processualist archaeology
6.1. Post-processualism and the "anarchic approach"
6.2. Structuralism
6.3. Neo-marxist archaeology
6.4. Cognitive and symbolic archaeology
6.5. New approaches
7. Field methods for archaeological excavations

Teaching Methods

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy [drafted in accordance with ORDER NO. 34/2026, dated 6 February ? Reference Framework for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the teaching, assessment, and learning process at the University of Évora (UÉ), fully aligned with the assessment objectives and methods outlined in the Course Unit Syllabus (FUC)]In this Course Unit (UC), the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is permitted exclusively as an auxiliary resource during the bibliographic research and formal structuring phases of the individual assignment.Given that this Course Unit aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the major theoretical currents of thought and action within archaeological historiography, alongside a critical analysis of archaeological methodologies, epistemological reflection and direct engagement with primary sources and recommended bibliography remain indispensable. Consequently, all conceptual analyses, theoretical positions, and historiographical reflections must result entirely from the student's own reading and critical evaluation.Any information, synthesis, or suggestion generated by AI tools must be explicitly declared (ORDER NO. 34/2026) and critically validated by the student through direct cross-referencing with the core reference works of this Course Unit.Acceptable Uses:Supporting the preliminary structuring of the written assignment;Providing linguistic and stylistic assistance, including the grammatical review of the student's original text;Assisting in bibliographic research and organization regarding theoretical currents, excavation methods, and stratigraphic recording, subject to mandatory verification against primary sources;Aiding in the visual organization and formatting of content for the oral presentation and defense of the assignment.Unacceptable Uses:Partial or full automated generation of the body text of the written assignment or responses to in-class in-depth activities;Fabrication, simulation, or falsification of citations, bibliographic references, historiographical data, or the unverified attribution of concepts to authors/archaeologists;Submitting theoretical reflections, critical analyses of historiography, or deontological judgments generated by AI as the student's own intellectual authorship;Omitting the AI Use Declaration upon the final submission of the assignment or during in-class tasks.Consequences:The improper use of AI tools or the failure to include the mandatory declaration constitutes a severe breach of academic integrity. Such actions will be treated as academic fraud under Article 119 of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora (Code of conduct, fraud, and plagiarism) and/or in compliance with ORDER NO. 216/2026, dated 22 July, regarding the "Prevention of academic fraud and update of Course Unit Syllabi (FUC) for the 2026/2027 academic year."Any cases not covered by this document must be discussed beforehand between the student and the professor respo

Assessment

Continuous Assessment:Continuous assessment comprises attendance: 20% (see paragraph 1 of Article 105 of the RAEU); in-class assignments for advanced study of the subject matter (Theory & Method): 20%; an individual assignment (?Short paper?) on theoretical content: 30%; and a presentation and defense of the assignment: 30%. Students who fail to complete at least one component of the continuous assessment framework will be automatically transferred to the final examination scheme - Written exam - pursuant to paragraph 11(a) of Article 110 of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora (RAEU), carrying a weighting of 100%. Oral Examination Clause:"Should it be deemed necessary to ascertain the extent to which the student has developed the knowledge and competences specified for the curricular unit, the teaching staff may summon the student for an oral examination, in accordance with paragraph 13 of Article 110 of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora, ensuring the conditions provided for in paragraph 4 of Article 116 and paragraph 1 of Article 118 of the same Regulations. The oral examination shall account for 50% of the final grade of the curricular unit."