This course was funded by the German Foreign Office and developed by the German Archaeological Institute (DAI), in collaboration with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the Interdisciplinary Center for Archaeology and Evolution of Human Behavior (ICArEHB) in Portugal, and the Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, with input from experts around the world. Africa has a rich cultural heritage spanning tens of thousands of years, including the earliest known fossils of our hominin ancestors, abundant and diverse rock art sites, and some of the oldest civilizations in human history. Would you like to know more about the new methods archaeologists are using to study African archaeology? And to learn directly from case studies with researchers working on the continent? Are you interested in knowing the role local communities have in the preservation and protection of heritage sites? By enrolling in this course, you will have the opportunity to learn and explore these and so many other subjects in African Archaeology and Heritage and discover the rich and diverse heritage of Africa.
(20 reviews)
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Add to your LinkedIn profile
4 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 5 modules in this course
The course is structured into four modules: Introduction to Archaeology and African Archaeology, Archaeological Methods, Heritage Management, and Case Studies, which showcase research projects from Mozambique, Chad, Namibia, and the West African Savanna. Through this course, our goal is to offer easily accessible and high-quality online resources on the subject, as well as to emphasize the relevance and impact of these topics within the wider field of archaeological and heritage studies.
What's included
1 video7 readings
During this module you will learn about Archaeology in general and African Archaeology in particular with its own specificities. You will have an introduction to Africa Rock Art and to Africa geographic and climate diversity. Finally, you will learn about the sources for understanding environmental change.
What's included
7 videos8 readings1 assignment
This module's curriculum aims to provide you with an understanding of the various methods used by archaeologists and the interdisciplinary nature of archaeological research. The focus will be on different types of surveys such as ground, aerial, and subsurface surveys, as well as the use of mobile applications during surveying. You will also be introduced to various disciplines such as archaeobotany, animal bone technology and function, zooarchaeology, lithic technology, micromorphology, pottery and archaeometry, human remains including biological anthropology and archaeogenetics, and rock art methodology.
What's included
17 videos25 readings1 assignment
This module, you will gain an understanding of the concept of heritage in Africa and its inherent value. The course will teach you how to use heritage as a tool for local development, specifically in the context of sustainable and responsible tourism. You will also explore the management of heritage in Namibia and learn about the Daureb Mountain Guides, who provide an example of heritage management by local communities. Finally, you will discover the work of the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) and ICArEHB in Africa.
What's included
7 videos6 readings1 assignment
In the final module, you will have the opportunity to apply all the knowledge you have acquired throughout the course to five case studies. These case studies include hunter-gatherer and early farming communities' interactions in Southern Mozambique, archaeobotanical research on cultivated landscapes in the West African Savanna, archaeobotanical research on the de-greening of the Sahara in Northern Chad, the Stone Age of Mozambique in Niassa and Massingir, and the rock paintings of the Upper Brandberg.
What's included
6 videos12 readings1 assignment
Instructors
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in History
United Cities and Local Governments of Africa
Dartmouth College
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Museum of Modern Art
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Learner reviews
20 reviews
- 5 stars
80.95%
- 4 stars
14.28%
- 3 stars
0%
- 2 stars
0%
- 1 star
4.76%
Showing 3 of 20
Reviewed on Oct 25, 2023
it was an amazing experience, intensive knowledge with wider perspective
Reviewed on Dec 6, 2023
Excellent course, learned a lot, especially about rock art.
Reviewed on Mar 8, 2024
Loved this course, was a very comprehensive overview and I learned a lot, def need to continue studying and researching further after completion.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.