Archaeological Science has become a highly productive research field in recent years, with ever-growing scientific publications. Together with this trend the discussion on the role and importance of archaeological science within the broader scope of archaeological research has become more acute, with scholars questioning its necessity and the way it is integrated within the general research paradigms of archaeology. 

In this course we will read key papers in archaeological science and review harsh debates that emerged in the 20th century (such as the implication of lead isotope research on our understanding of ancient social processes and the quality of interrelations between climate and human societies). We will engage in critical reading of new publications in the field that outline dominant trends in current research. The reading material is varied and includes topics such as dating techniques, human-environment interactions and sophisticated laboratory techniques for analysis of archaeological materials. Through reading we will try to answer the basic questions of what ‘archaeological science’ is, and what does the field contribute to solving the more broad archaeological/anthropological questions. 

Students should prepare for each class by reading required materials and be ready to actively participate in discussions.