Summative essay
This is worth 80% of the total module mark and should not exceed 3,000 words in
length. In your answer, draw information and case studies from at least three prehistoric
periods. Please choose one essay from the selection below.
In your answer, draw information and case studies from at least three prehistoric
periods (n.b. Middle and Upper Palaeolithic count as TWO separate periods).
Please choose one essay from the selection below.
1. Do you believe that we should characterise societies as mobile OR sedentary? -
justify your answer with examples.
2. Do you agree that phases of climate change have largely controlled the socio-
economic and cultural trajectories of prehistoric societies?
3. How does the archaeological record allow us to investigate and interpret notions
of status, the after-life, and ideology during the prehistoric past?
4. To what extent did different prehistoric societies rely upon a narrow OR a broad
range of food resources?
5. Are the chrono-cultural labels “Palaeolithic”, “Mesolithic”, “Neolithic” and “Bronze
Age” still useful when investigating prehistoric culture change?
6. How did prehistoric art change through time and what drove this change?
, Grade Description
95- Work of a standard that could not conceivably be improved upon given the range of
100 experience of the student and the conditions under which the assessment was
conducted
90-94 Exceptionally well crafted answer that engages with the full implications of the
question
Exceptionally well-developed critical arguments and a clear and complete
understanding of the material, and vocabulary/terminology
Integration of knowledge and/or understanding from wide range of reading
Use of case studies that relate closely to the question
Considerable degree of independent thought and interpretation
The answer demonstrates an understanding of the full nature and complexity of the
archaeological data, methodologies and interpretations
Very well-expressed language appropriate to academic writing with no grammatical
or spelling errors
The bibliography and citations will be full and in the correct form
Exceptionally well presented with relevant illustrations/images
This is worth 80% of the total module mark and should not exceed 3,000 words in
length. In your answer, draw information and case studies from at least three prehistoric
periods. Please choose one essay from the selection below.
In your answer, draw information and case studies from at least three prehistoric
periods (n.b. Middle and Upper Palaeolithic count as TWO separate periods).
Please choose one essay from the selection below.
1. Do you believe that we should characterise societies as mobile OR sedentary? -
justify your answer with examples.
2. Do you agree that phases of climate change have largely controlled the socio-
economic and cultural trajectories of prehistoric societies?
3. How does the archaeological record allow us to investigate and interpret notions
of status, the after-life, and ideology during the prehistoric past?
4. To what extent did different prehistoric societies rely upon a narrow OR a broad
range of food resources?
5. Are the chrono-cultural labels “Palaeolithic”, “Mesolithic”, “Neolithic” and “Bronze
Age” still useful when investigating prehistoric culture change?
6. How did prehistoric art change through time and what drove this change?
, Grade Description
95- Work of a standard that could not conceivably be improved upon given the range of
100 experience of the student and the conditions under which the assessment was
conducted
90-94 Exceptionally well crafted answer that engages with the full implications of the
question
Exceptionally well-developed critical arguments and a clear and complete
understanding of the material, and vocabulary/terminology
Integration of knowledge and/or understanding from wide range of reading
Use of case studies that relate closely to the question
Considerable degree of independent thought and interpretation
The answer demonstrates an understanding of the full nature and complexity of the
archaeological data, methodologies and interpretations
Very well-expressed language appropriate to academic writing with no grammatical
or spelling errors
The bibliography and citations will be full and in the correct form
Exceptionally well presented with relevant illustrations/images
