Human and Social Studies Traditions, History and Legacies

Create A Visual Record Of Artefacts And Features For Archiving Or Publication Training

SAQA US 119867 | NQF 4 | Credits 8 | Duration 5 Days
From $1,242 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the skills to create accurate visual records of artefacts and features for archiving or publication. Participants will learn to apply photographic and documentation techniques that meet professional standards, ensuring records are suitable for long-term preservation or dissemination.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply appropriate photographic techniques to capture clear and detailed images of artefacts and features.
  • Demonstrate correct use of scales, lighting, and positioning to ensure accurate visual representation.
  • Implement digital image management procedures including file naming, metadata, and storage.
  • Evaluate visual records for completeness and quality against archival and publication standards.
  • Design a visual record layout suitable for inclusion in reports or publications.
  • Analyze ethical and legal considerations related to the reproduction and publication of visual records.

Target Audience

This course is designed for archaeologists, museum technicians, heritage practitioners, and records management professionals who need to produce visual documentation of artefacts and features for archival or publication purposes.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Visual Records and Documentation Principles

Objectives:
• Understand the purpose and importance of visual records in archaeology and heritage.
• Identify different types of artefacts and features requiring visual documentation.
• Learn the basic principles of archival and publication standards.
• Recognise the ethical and legal considerations in creating visual records.

Topics:
• Overview of visual records: photographs, drawings, and digital captures.
• Types of artefacts and features: lithics, ceramics, structures, ecofacts.
• Archival standards: SAQA, SABS, and international guidelines.
• Ethical issues: consent, cultural sensitivity, and copyright.
• Basic equipment: cameras, scales, lighting, and drawing tools.
• Introduction to metadata and cataloguing systems.

Day 2: Photography Techniques for Artefacts and Features

Objectives:
• Set up a controlled photography station for consistent results.
• Apply lighting techniques to highlight details and minimise shadows.
• Capture images with proper scale, orientation, and colour reference.
• Use camera settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO) for sharp, high-resolution images.

Topics:
• Camera types and lenses: DSLR vs. mirrorless, macro lenses.
• Lighting: natural, artificial, diffusers, and reflectors.
• Composition: framing, background, and scale bars.
• Colour calibration: using grey cards and colour checkers.
• Focus and depth of field: stacking for extended depth.
• Hands-on practice: photographing small and large artefacts.

Day 3: Drawing and Illustration Techniques

Objectives:
• Produce accurate line drawings of artefacts using scale and proportion.
• Create plan and section drawings of features and excavation units.
• Apply conventions for hatching, stippling, and annotation.
• Integrate drawing with photography for composite records.

Topics:
• Tools: pencils, pens, drafting film, and digital tablets.
• Measuring techniques: callipers, grids, and photogrammetry basics.
• Drawing conventions: line weights, symbols, and labels.
• Plan drawings: top view of features and layers.
• Section drawings: stratigraphic profiles.
• Combining drawings with photographs: overlays and digital editing.
• Practice: drawing a ceramic vessel and a stone tool.

Day 4: Digital Capture and Processing

Objectives:
• Use photogrammetry software to create 3D models of artefacts.
• Process and edit digital images for publication and archiving.
• Apply colour correction, cropping, and resolution adjustments.
• Organise digital files with proper naming conventions and metadata.

Topics:
• Introduction to photogrammetry: Agisoft Metashape, RealityCapture.
• Capturing images for 3D: overlapping angles and lighting.
• Processing: aligning photos, building dense cloud, mesh, and texture.
• Image editing: Adobe Photoshop, GIMP – levels, curves, sharpening.
• File formats: TIFF, JPEG, PNG, and DNG for archiving.
• Metadata standards: Dublin Core, EXIF, and IPTC.
• Data backup and storage solutions.

Day 5: Compilation, Archiving, and Publication Preparation

Objectives:
• Compile visual records into a coherent archive package.
• Prepare figures and plates for publication following journal guidelines.
• Create captions, labels, and figure lists.
• Understand the submission process for digital repositories and publishers.

Topics:
• Archival structure: folders, naming, README files.
• Publication standards: journal-specific figure requirements.
• Creating figure plates: layout, scale bars, and annotations.
• Writing captions: descriptive, accurate, and referencing.
• Digital repositories: SAHRIS, university archives, and open-access platforms.
• Final project: compile a complete visual record for a given artefact or feature.
• Review and feedback session.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
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Mon 27 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
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In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
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Mon 14 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
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Mon 22 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
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Mon 03 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
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Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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