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Unit of study_
ARCO2106: Historical Archaeology and Heritage
2026 unit information
Historical archaeology examines the material traces of the last 500 years in conversation with the written word and the spoken word. While these forms of evidence rarely align, their intersections offer key insights into systems of power and oppression that have shaped the modern world, as well as the experiences of those often hidden from official records. This unit provides students with theoretical and practical skills in historical archaeology and heritage studies to explore the materiality of the recent past. Case studies from Australia and Oceania address themes such as colonialism, capitalism, and inequality, drawing on real-world examples from industry and research-led projects.
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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12 credit points at 1000 level in Archaeology or (6 credit points at 1000 level in Archaeology and 6 credit points from History or Ancient History or Anthropology) |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Understand techniques commonly used in historical archaeology, which are broadly applicable in archaeology and the social sciences, particularly spatial analysis and material culture analysis.
- LO2. Possess a broad knowledge of the forces that created the modern world, particularly capitalism and industrialization, European colonialism, and the creation of state institutions.
- LO3. Be able to compare and contrast different kinds of evidence in creating diverse narratives about the past and present.
- LO4. Identify and analyse commonly encountered historical site and artefact types, including those that are common in Australasian contexts.
- LO5. Critically assess the ways that contemporary environmental, political, economic, and religious arrangements developed out of structures and systems of colonial life in and beyond Australasia.
Unit availability
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There are no availabilities for this year.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2026
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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