Archaeology BSc/MA/MA(SocSci)
Cloth and Clothing ARCH4063
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Humanities
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
The archaeology of cloth and clothing is a growing area of research, with renewed optimism that these perishable materials (textiles, leather, basketry) can be traced and investigated as part of broad research strategies. This course adopts a technological and thematic approach to examine the sources of archaeological evidence and emerging research questions in this field focusing primarily on prehistoric Europe with examples from later periods and further afield.
Timetable
1x2hr session per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus. (includes, lecture, seminar, practical classes/workshop and external visit.)
This is one of the Honours options in Archaeology and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ Portfolio (set of exercises) 50%
■ Essay (2500 words) 50%
If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:
■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions).
Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor. 
Main Assessment In: April/May
Course Aims
This course will provide the opportunity to:
■ Explore the key interpretive issues, research traditions and approaches to cloth and clothing in archaeology
■ Focus on the cloth and clothing of prehistoric Europe with examples from later periods and further afield
■ Learn to identify the principal technical features of cloth
■ Examine, and where appropriate handle, a range of relevant archaeological evidence
■ Engage with theories of cloth and clothing
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course the students will be able to:
■ Recognise and critically evaluate the key types of archaeological evidence for cloth and clothing
■ Be familiar with the chronological developments in fibre and weaving technology in prehistoric Europe
■ Summarise principal interpretive themes and debates in the subject
■ Identify a range of technical features of cloth
■ Appropriately handle relevant archaeological material
■ Present clear and well-supported written arguments