Laboratories in the lounge room: Archaeological field methods training during the COVID-19 pandemic

Archaeology is an inherently multi-sensory, applied, and tactile discipline. Field survey, excavation and post-fi eldwork artefact analysis require the archaeologist to engage with cultural sites and materials visually and physically. For this reason it is diffi cult to meet linked learning outcomes in tertiary education without active/authentic activities such as laboratories and on-country training. In the wake of COVID-19 disruptions, I consider whether fi eldwork/artefact focused training is possible without this component. This globally relevant question is assessed following a substantive redesign of the fi rst-year, Australian National University (ANU) module ‘Archaeology Uncovered’, including an attempt to move laboratories into the lounge room!