Studying Archaeology in Post-16 Education in Scotland

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Unfortunately archaeology is not specifically included as an independent subject at Intermediate, Higher or Advanced Higher. However, it is included within the Classical Studies subject at both Intermediate 1 and 2 levels and the History Higher and Advanced Higher courses can include the use of archaeology as a source of evidence.

Classical Studies

Both the Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 courses are made up of three core units, one of which (in both courses) is Roman Archaeology and Civilisation.

The main aspects studied within the Roman Archaeology and Civilisation module are:

  • archaeological techniques and evidence
  • the effects of the spread of Roman power on the tribal society of Britain
  • the social conditions in Roman Britain
  • Roman heritage and contemporary British society

The previously offered optional unit at Intermediate 2 level in Field Archaeology is unfortunately no longer available.

History

Scottish Higher

The Scottish Higher in History, whilst not specifically including archaeology, does offer the option of three period contexts to choose from. These are:

  • Medieval
  • Early Modern
  • Later Modern

Where your school or college makes use of the Medieval period context there is good scope for using archaeological evidence to inform your learning.

Scottish Advanced Higher

The Scottish Advanced Higher in History offers further scope to learn about the past using archaeology. The course is made up of two units: Historical Study and Historical Research.

The Historical Study unit is based on one of the following 13 topics:

  1. Northern Britain from the Romans to AD 1000
  2. Scottish Independence: 1286–1329
  3. The Renaissance in Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries
  4. France in the age of Louis XIV
  5. Georgians and Jacobites: Scotland 1715–1800
  6. The Economic Development of Britain 1820–80
  7. ‘The House Divided’: USA 1850–65
  8. Japan: From Medieval to Modern State 1850s–1920
  9. Germany: Versailles to the Outbreak of the Second World War
  10. South Africa 1910–84
  11. Soviet Russia 1917–53
  12. The Spanish Civil War 1931–39
  13. Britain at War and Peace 1939–51

Topics 1 to 8 have varying opportunities to use archaeological evidence with topic 1 being particularly suitable to extend your interest in archaeology.

Topics 9, 12 and 13 may also lend themselves to including the recently developed area of Battlefield Archaeology (more information about which will be available through our Student and Teacher resource hubs).

More information on Scottish National Qualifications Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Highers is available from the Scottish Qualifications Authority or from the website of the Continuing Education Gateway for Scotland.

In addition Learning and Teaching Scotland has a useful website devoted to supporting teachers and students of Classics in Scotland at www.ltscotland.org.uk

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