Key facts
UNE unit code: ARPA384
*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2024
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- 6
Unit information
Stone toolmaking is the original technology, first appearing in Africa over three million years ago.
The techniques and processes of stone flaking influenced the evolution of human cognition, culminating in stone tools of staggering complexity and loaded with symbolic meaning.
In this unit you will examine the scientific methods archaeologists use to analyse stone tool manufacture. You will learn how to identify stone artefacts and how to record and analyse stone tool attributes and will explore how stone tools underpin much of our understanding of human behaviour in remote prehistory and in many parts of the world.
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 3 Days | Mandatory Intensive School | All offerings | The Intensive School consists of a mixture of flintknapping demonstrations, hands-on stone flaking, observation of actual artefacts, and practicing of practical measurement skills on replicated tools. The particular mix of practical and observational tasks is, to our knowledge, unique to this unit, both in Australia and internationally. The intention of the intensive school is to develop your observational and practical skills to the point where you have confidence in recognising stone tools and the key attributes that occur on them. Even if you do not continue on in stone artefact analysis, the observational skills you will learn—how to recognise technical features on complex objects—are translatable to artefacts in other materials. Dates to be advised. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- exercise well developed judgement to distinguish between stone artefacts and non-artefactual stone and in recognising key stone artefacts types;
- apply technical skills to measure, analyse, record, and interpret stone artefact attributes;
- demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of fracture mechanics and other technical principles that determine how stone artefacts are made;
- demonstrate and communicate well-developed scientific research and analytical skills; and
- demonstrate an understanding of the organisation involved when people used stone artefacts as part of their everyday lives.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 25% | All offerings | Quiz No. Words: 1000 |
| Assessment 2 | Yes | 25% | All offerings | Quiz No. Words: 1000 |
| Assessment 3 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Essay No. Words: 3000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
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