Archaeology (Roman Britain) Level 3 (QLS) Course

Embark on a transformative learning journey with the UK’s most innovative home study provider, offering courses designed to unlock your true potential and facilitate the career change you desire. Access our distance learning courses directly from anywhere, anytime, and acquire industry-recognised Professional Qualifications essential for advancing in your career.

Specifically, explore the flexible and convenient Archaeology Roman Britain (Level 3) course, an ideal way to gain a diploma qualification. Whether you aim for further education, improved job prospects, or expanded knowledge, this comprehensive course allows you to prepare thoroughly for exams or careers through home study. Plus, it’s structured to be accessible and beneficial even if you have no prior knowledge in Archaeology.

Archaeology is a fascinating field that offers invaluable insights into our past, allowing us to piece together the puzzle of ancient civilisations and understand how they shaped the world we live in today. In a world dominated by modern technology, archaeology remains one of the primary means through which we can explore and learn about historical societies that predate written records. By studying artifacts, structures, and other material remains left behind by past cultures, archaeologists can reconstruct aspects of daily life, social structures, belief systems, and more.

This course serves as a comprehensive introduction to the field of archaeology, covering its definition, methodologies, and analytical techniques. Students will delve into the various methods used in archaeological research, from excavation and surveying to artifact analysis and interpretation. By understanding how archaeological evidence is gathered and analysed, students develop critical thinking skills and learn to evaluate historical sources with a discerning eye.

One of the highlights of this course is its focus on the archaeology and history of Britain, spanning from the Late Iron Age to the Roman period. Students will explore key archaeological sites and discoveries within the British Isles, gaining a deeper understanding of the region’s rich cultural heritage and its interactions with the broader Roman Empire. By examining the material culture of ancient Britons and Romans, students can reconstruct aspects of their daily lives, including their social structures, economic activities, and religious beliefs.

Moreover, this course not only offers a window into the past but also provides valuable skills that are applicable in various professional settings. Through research projects, students learn to gather and analyse data, formulate research questions, and present their findings effectively. These skills are highly transferable and can be utilised in fields such as education, heritage management, museum curation, and more. Whether students are pursuing further studies in archaeology or seeking to apply their knowledge in other disciplines, this course equips them with a solid foundation in archaeological theory and practice.

QLS & OPA

Digital certificate - Included

Course Key Topics

the Archaeology Roman Britain (Level 3) course is divided into 10 modules.

Module 1: Iron Age Britain
This module introduces the Diploma course and presents the history of the island of Britain in the Late Iron Age before and after the invasions of Caesar in the 50s BC. It begins with an introduction to the discipline of Archaeology which began in the late 19th century (although people, even Kings, have been digging up sites for much longer), and links to how literary sources are used in the study of Roman Britain. Archaeology is often linked to Anthropology, the study of people. The peoples and tribes of Pre-Roman Britain are introduced along with the principles of Archaeology. The development of archaeology and the most common types of archaeological evidence as well as the processes used to investigate this is explored.

Module 2: The conquest of Roman Britain AD 43-117 (Archaeological reconnaissance)
The second module examines the techniques used in archaeology such as how to locate sites, aerial photography, surveys, field walking and sampling. Initially sites were mainly based in cities, but later many rural sites were excavated, often found when building or construction work located them. Using literary and archaeological evidence derived from forts, it is possible to trace the progress of the Roman army across Britain as well as resistance to the Romans by leaders such as Caratacus and Boudicca.

Module 3: Excavating Roman Britain AD 117-221
Continuing with the theme of how to carry out archaeology, excavation processes is discussed in terms of how and why it is carried out since it is an expensive and destructive process. In the past, land was simply dug, rather than being carefully excavated, as the usefulness of the discoveries became known. Then the techniques were refined and carried out methodologically and judiciously. Layers or ‘strata’ provide a timeline of history and the rules of stratigraphy are essential for successful excavations since they provide an order of the finds.

Module 4: Government of Roman Britain (What survives in the Archaeological Record?)
One of the key influences of the Romans was the way they brought construction, organisational systems, new methods of planning, governance, finance and structure, e.g. extensive road systems in towns and villages. Thus, how the Romans managed to govern the island of Britain through its offices such as the Governors and Procurators; Client rulers as well as taxation and security measures taken to ensure that the province was run effectively is explored.

Module 5: The Roman Army in Britain
This module examines the Roman army in Britain; its role, its organisation as well as some of the military installations and the role in maintaining the Emperor as an Autocrat with power, prestige and position. Throughout the occupation of Britain, the Roman army changed in its role and structure in order to meet the challenges it faced e.g. as they became better organised they developed granaries and latrines that improved the health of the soldiers.

Module 6: Rural Roman Britain – post-excavation analysis
Initially archaeology focused on Roman villas owned by the very rich and influential with most of excavations having been carried out on them, and yet very few people inhabited such structures. A case study of villas is, therefore, shown here. The majority of people in Roman Britain lived in village homesteads.

Module 7: Dating and Urban centres in Roman Britain
Britain was predominantly rural prior to the arrival of the Romans who established urban centres. These centres had distinct characteristics and helped establish a formalised administrative and economy for Roman Britain. The Romans introduced formalised settlements on a scale never before perceived by the inhabitants of Britain. This module will examine the various kinds of settlement established by the Romans and will explore the reasons behind establishing these settlements. The methods used by Rome to ‘Romanise’ Britain is explored, e.g. by building an extensive road system, trade was attracted to the towns and villagers could get a better income.

Module 8: Trade, Exchange and communication in Roman Britain
As facilities, trade and economy improved, so the resources obtained and global movement also improved. The Roman army was involved in extending and expanding the number and types of products from gold, corn, cattle and iron to greater range of metals including silver and lead, semi-precious stones, salt, stone and ceramics. Coal was relatively unknown to the Romans so the introduction of this material was valuable to them.

Module 9: Understanding Religion and Ritual in Roman Britain
Archaeologists use key concepts in anthropology and sociology to explore and explain the beliefs, rituals and religion by exploring the religious and ritual sites (e.g. towers, sacrificial slabs, altars, temples with finds of religious vessels and instruments) of Britain during the Roman period. To what extent did the Romans introduce new religions into Britain (including cults and Eastern influences) and to what extent did they preserved and adapt to pre-Roman gods.

Module 10: The end of Roman Britain? Interpreting Archaeology
In summarising the course, we return to completing the chronology begun in earlier chapters. What caused the end of the Roman occupation of Britain and elsewhere, who else invaded the Island (the Gaul and Saxons as well as local invasions from the north of UK) and how this influence the changes to the economy and the way the country was administered. To this end it is important to consider Britain in the wider context of the Roman Empire, what different views explain the cause of the changes in the late eras, and the various challenges faced causing it to separate and return to the central administration.

What Will You Learn?

• In the Archaeology Roman Britain (Level 3) course, students will embark on an immersive journey through the rich tapestry of Roman Britain's archaeology and history.
• Through a series of engaging modules, learners will delve into various aspects of Roman Britain, spanning from the Late Iron Age to the end of Roman occupation.
• They will explore the methodologies and techniques used in archaeological research, including excavation, and artifact analysis.
• By examining key sites and discoveries, students will gain a deeper understanding of Roman Britain's cultural landscape, societal structures, and interactions with the broader Roman Empire.
• The course will cover topics such as the conquest of Roman Britain, the governance of the province, the role of the Roman army, and the daily life of both rural and urban inhabitants.
• Students will investigate trade networks, economic activities, and religious beliefs, providing them with insights into the complex dynamics of Roman society.
• Additionally, the course will delve into post-excavation analysis techniques, allowing students to understand how archaeological evidence is interpreted and presented to the public.
• Throughout the course, students will develop critical thinking skills and analytical abilities as they engage with primary sources, archaeological data, and scholarly interpretations.
• By the end of the course, students will have gained a comprehensive understanding of Roman Britain's archaeology, enabling them to appreciate the significance of archaeological research in reconstructing the past and informing our understanding of ancient civilisations.

Target Audience

• The target audience for the Archaeology Roman Britain (Level 3) course encompasses individuals with a keen interest in unravelling the mysteries of ancient civilisations, particularly the Roman occupation of Britain.
• This course is designed for history enthusiasts, archaeology students, and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of Roman Britain's archaeology and history.
• It caters to learners who are curious about exploring the past through material remains and archaeological evidence, providing them with a comprehensive overview of excavation techniques, analytical methods, and interpretive frameworks used in archaeological research.
• Moreover, this course appeals to educators, museum curators, and heritage professionals looking to enhance their knowledge of Roman Britain for educational or curatorial purposes.
• By offering a detailed exploration of key topics such as governance, trade, religion, and daily life, the course provides valuable insights into the cultural, social, and economic dynamics of Roman Britain.
• Whether learners are aspiring archaeologists or simply passionate about history, this course offers a stimulating and enriching learning experience that immerses them in the fascinating world of ancient civilisations.

• The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Archaeology Roman Britain (Level 3) and would like to take part in a highly rewarding distance learning study course.
• We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.
• You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 12 months from initial registration with full tutor support.

As an archaeologist, you’ll record, interpret and preserve archaeological remains for future generations