LIB485
From Stone to Metal: An Archaeological Exploration of Ancient Technology
Would you be surprised to learn that the technology we use to make modern concrete was invented 12,000 years ago? Have you ever wondered how humans first transformed rocks to iron, or how ancient Mesopotamians learned to write in cuneiform script? We will cover the history and science behind five ancient technologies encountered by archaeologists from cultures around the world. In addition to learning about these key technologies, we’ll also (virtually) explore real archaeological objects to discover what they can teach us.
Note: This course has been updated from the original offering in Spring 2025.
This course is offered in person.
A $50 discount is available during check-out for adults 55+.
Overview
Location: Vancouver
Duration: 6 weeks
Tuition: $180 plus GST
Can be applied to:
Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate
Upcoming Offerings
- Thu, May 7, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Thu, May 14, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Thu, May 21, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Thu, May 28, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Thu, Jun 4, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Thu, Jun 11, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
Course outline
- Week 1: Archaeology—the hidden stories of objects
Archaeologists investigate the lives of past humans by studying the things they left behind. As students, interacting with these objects can teach us about past cultures, ancient technology, museums and even our own modern lives. - Week 2: Stone—building the (technological) foundations
Humanity’s relationship with technology began with stone, possibly as early as 2.6 million years ago. Studying early tools, structures and artwork made from stone shows us how prehistoric humans used natural resources to change their world. - Week 3: Plaster—mastering chemical reactions
Lime plaster, first made around 12,000 years ago, is one of humankind’s oldest synthetic materials. We still use this technology today! Ancient lime was used to make floors, walls, frescoes, sculpture and more. - Week 4: Ceramics—a storage revolution
Ceramic vessels emerged at different times in different cultures. Studying ceramics (even small fragments called “sherds”) can reveal the variety of materials ancient potters chose, and the social aspects of ceramics production and use. - Week 5: Writing—making words last forever
The invention of writing changed the way humans share information. We’ll learn about some of these early writing systems and explore, in a hands-on activity, how students in ancient Mesopotamia (~3000 BCE - 200 CE) practiced their writing skills. - Week 6: Metals—magic, molten and modern
Ancient metallurgy is one of the technologies that has left lasting imprints on our modern climate and environment. Converting ore to workable metal jumpstarted the technological booms that led us to the space age (and beyond).
What you will learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Define “archaeology”
- Outline the order in which new technologies were developed by humans of the past
- Practice “close-looking” with museum objects & images
How you will learn
- Lectures
- Participation in discussions
- Supplementary reading resources accessed online through Canvas
- Viewing films and video clips
- Participation in hands-on activities
- Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)
Learning Materials
No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.
Technical Requirements
Handouts and other course resources will be available on Canvas, SFU’s online learning system.
To access the resources, you should be comfortable with:
- Using everyday software such as browsers, email and social media
- Navigating a website by clicking on links and finding pages in a menu
- Downloading and opening PDF documents