Archaeology
9 courses · Shasta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
ARCH-3 Principles of Archaeology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ANTH 150
This is an introductory course in the study of world prehistory and historical archaeology through the analysis of archaeological methods, theories, and regional developments. The course includes case study examinations of the fundamental concepts of archaeology and the changing theoretical orientations of archaeology in the contemporary world. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ARCH-4A Beginning Field Archaeology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture/108 lab total
- Formerly
- ARCH 4, 4AD
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an introductory course in the practical application of archaeological principles and methods. Students will become familiar with the basic techniques of scientific archaeological excavation and site survey, mapping, photographing, data recording, cataloging and preservation of archaeological specimens.
ARCH-4B Intermediate Field Archaeology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture/108 lab total
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 4A with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an intermediate course in the practical application of archaeological principles and methods that continues to build on the beginning course. Students will begin to take part in the development and organization of scientific archaeological excavation projects. Students will learn additional excavation techniques, and learn to supervise field crews. Students will learn how to develop new strategies for site reconnaissance and recording. Students will evaluate field records, and coordinate field catalogues.
ARCH-4C Advanced Intermediate Field Archaeology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture/108 lab total
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 4B with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an advanced intermediate course in the practical application of archaeological principles and methods. Students learn advanced excavation, site mapping and recording techniques. Students learn to map using a total station. Students are trained in soil sampling, and flotation techniques.
ARCH-4D Advanced Field Archaeology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture/108 lab total
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 4C with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an advanced course in the practical application of archaeological principles and methods. Students will serve as assistant field director to the principal investigator in a local archaeological project. Students will learn to use archival facilities and evaluate documentary evidence of archaeological sites. Students will organize and execute aspects of field projects. Students will learn to interpret data gathered from field projects.
ARCH-5A Beginning Archaeology Laboratory
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 108 lab total
- Formerly
- ARCH 5, ARCH 5AD
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is a beginning course that introduces students to the post-field processing of archaeological materials including laboratory analysis and data interpretation. The class focus will be method and theory of archaeological material recovery, post-field data processing and curation, and subsequent interpretation and explanation. Students will participate in preliminary site analysis, interpretive projects, and cultural material processing and curation.
ARCH-5B Intermediate Archaeology Laboratory
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 108 lab total
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 5A with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an intermediate course in the practical application of archaeological laboratory methods. Students will learn beginning analyses of floral, faunal, and lithic materials collected during excavation of local sites. Students will learn artifact replication and conduct some experiments with artifact replicas.
ARCH-5C Advanced Intermediate Archaeology Laboratory
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 108 lab total
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 5B with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an advanced intermediate course in the application of archaeological laboratory methods. Students will formulate and carry out analyses of different archaeological materials using methods learned in earlier courses. Students will clean, catalogue, draw, and analyze artifacts recovered from local archaeological sites. Students will learn mapping applications that can be used to create spatial distribution maps of artifacts within archaeological sites.
ARCH-5D Advanced Archaeology Laboratory
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 108 lab total
- Prerequisite
- ARCH 5C with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an advanced course in the practical application of archaeological laboratory methods. Students will carry out multiple assignments as laboratory assistant to the principal investigator in an archaeological field project. Students will gain practical experience supervising all activities in the laboratory including the cleaning, cataloging, drawing, and analysis of artifacts recovered from local archaeological sites. Students will also complete a series of analyses that conform to professional archaeological standards.