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Unit of study_
ARCO1002: Introduction to World Archaeology
2026 unit information
What does it mean to be human? This unit offers a hands-on introduction to world archaeology, exploring how people have shaped—and been shaped by—their environments, technologies, and societies. From stone tools to cities, Ice Age migrations to climate crises, we trace humanity’s long history of innovation and resilience. Students will engage directly with archaeological materials and learn key methods ranging from global remote sensing to ancient DNA. The unit also explores how archaeology addresses today’s global challenges, including climate change, sustainability, and cultural heritage—issues of urgent relevance for Australasia and the wider world.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Archaeology |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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ARCA1000 or ARCO1000 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Gain an understanding of the diversity of the archaeological record, and its relevance to a variety of contemporary issues, from climate change to decolonisation.
- LO2. Understand the basic processes of archaeological research and develop fundamental skills for understanding the material record of the last 60,000+ years of human history.
- LO3. Develop capability to understand and analyse archaeological data, and to apply specific techniques to interpret these data as evidence for past lives.
- LO4. Apply complex and critical thinking to understand the relationships between people, environment, materials, and society.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2026
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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