Depicting the Past: Archaeological Illustration for Beginners!

The course "Introduction to Archaeological Illustration" brought illustration to life for our students through practical demonstrations and hands-on activities. It was mentored by Emile Nelson who recently completed their Master's Degree in Archaeology from the University of Edinburgh. Their dissertation delved into British Iron Age decorated pottery, exploring how different decorations were linked to individual identities. It was during their master’s that Emile discovered a passion for archaeological illustration, particularly when it came to drawing pottery sherds.?

The course started with Week 01 which delved into the significance of illustration in archaeology, starting with a brief history that traced its origin to medieval manuscripts featuring megalithic monuments and its evolution towards becoming a vital tool for scientific inquiry and cataloguing during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods. Emile introduced two key figures in archaeological illustration, Stuart Piggott and Augustus HLF Pitt-Rivers, before diving into the fundamental question of 'why illustrate'?

Week 02 explored the basics of archaeological illustration, from the main tools, the ground rules and the different types of illustrations including artefact sketches, site plans, and the creation of 3D models and videos. They discussed how illustrations serve academic and real-world purposes, like in video games such as Assassins Creed, and the importance of considering the audience and objectives of our illustrations. Finally, Emile walked us through the two practical steps of making an archaeological illustration - recording data and presenting the final product.

In Week 03, Emile guided us through mastering ceramic illustration. They introduced various ceramics categories, including sherds and complete vessels, useful tools such as rim charts, and regional differences in illustration styles. Emile brought the topic to life with an engaging video demonstration and shared their illustration formula to make archaeological illustration accessible to all: Format + Data + Confidence = Illustration.

Week 04 revolved around illustrating stone tools, also known as lithics. They explored various flaked tools, ranging from projectile points to hand axes, and we delved into the intricate art of flint knapping—their crafting process. Emile dissected the anatomy of these tools, and highlighted differences in illustration standards between the US and Europe/UK, particularly when employing the folded box method. They provided a detailed video demo, capturing nuances in drawing flint tools, including adding crucial details like flake scars.

In Week 05 Emile dived into the realm of stratigraphic illustrations, starting with what makes a "good" and "bad" stratigraphic drawing. They delved into the fundamental components of a stratigraphic site map or plan, focusing on layers, artefacts, objects, depth, and any irregularities within the layers. Emile introduced us to the Harris Matrix, a valuable tool for situations where layers may not align neatly. The session also featured a video demonstration, offering practical insights into the process of crafting a site plan.

During the last session of Week 06, we learned about digital techniques in archaeology illustration. Emile shared insights on Adobe Photoshop, 3D Modeling/Photogrammetry, and Adobe Illustrator, and how these digital tools can enhance archaeological studies, such as architectural analyses, image enhancement, and the restoration of old photos. The lecture ended with some interesting questions for us to ponder: Are archaeological illustrators primarily archaeologists or artists? Is archaeological illustration a science, an art, or a blend of both?

This artistic and educational course has left us with newfound knowledge and skills in the field, ready to explore the past through our own illustrations. If you want to learn more about these topics, feel free to watch the lectures in the playlist here.

Stay tuned for our next issue, which will revolve all around our upcoming event: ArchTalk Season 02 of 2023!