Exploring Stone Age Archaeology: The Mysteries of Star Carr

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4 weeks
4 hours per week
Digital certificate when eligible
Open level

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Learn about the incredible discoveries at Star Carr

Star Carr is one of Britain’s most important archaeological sites. Because of extraordinary conditions of survival, we have uncovered the oldest known house in Britain, the earliest evidence of carpentry in Europe and the oldest complete bow in the world. These and other discoveries help us interpret what life might have been like over 10,000 years ago.

On this course you will learn about the excavations of Star Carr, exploring what this site can tell us about where we came from, the origin of everyday things, and how much we have changed.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 24 seconds Understanding about our past and our ancestors helps us to understand the present, where we came from, and the everyday objects that we often take for granted like houses, jewellery and pets.

Skip to 1 minute and 10 seconds Join us and delve deeply into the exciting world of archaeology.

What topics will you cover?

The excavations at Star Carr: highlighting how the site was discovered, what has been found and how excavations are undertaken, in order to convey the excitement of discovery.
The use of stone: how hunter-gatherers used stone to create tools which were required for every aspect of their daily lives (their Swiss Army knife!)
The use of plants: plants were used for everything from making fires to building houses.
The use of animals: we explain what animals were in the landscape at that time and how people used them for food, skins for clothing and their bones for artefacts.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

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Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Identify and understand the methods used on an archaeological excavation
Evaluate how digital technology, scientific applications and experimental archaeology can be used to investigate the past
Apply a range of evidence in order to debate how different artefacts might have been used
Describe the site of Star Carr and the main discoveries made there

Who is the course for?

The course is for anyone with an interest in the past and archaeology, and particularly for people with no previous archaeological background who may be considering higher education study.

Who will you learn with?

Nicky Milner

I'm Professor Nicky Milner, Head of Archaeology at the University of York. I'm a field archaeologist and an expert in the Mesolithic period.

Andy Needham

I am a British Academy research fellow working on Mesolithic archaeology. I worked at Star Carr (2007-15) where I analysed some of the beads and pendants and carried out some of the geochemistry.

Steph Piper

I am an Associate Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of York. I specialise in stone tool analysis and Mesolithic archaeology, and have excavated at several Mesolithic sites in Britain.

Becky Knight

I am a Zooarchaeology & Human Osteology technician. I have been involved with Star Carr since 2007 & I analysed all of the animal bone assemblages from the excavations (2007-2015).

Who developed the course?

University of York

The University of York combines the pursuit of academic excellence with a culture of inclusion, which encourages everyone – from a variety of backgrounds – to achieve their best.


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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99

For your first month. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

Access to this course
Access to 1,000+ courses
Learn at your own pace
Discuss your learning in comments
Tests to boost your learning
Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

Access to this course
Learn at your own pace
Discuss your learning in comments
Tests to boost your learning
Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Continue & Upgrade

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

Access expires 5 Jan 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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