Arts & Humanities
Archaeology
Archaeology is the study of past human societies through the physical evidence they left behind -- artifacts, structures, and landscapes. You'll learn excavation and survey techniques, artifact analysis, and how to interpret what physical remains tell us about how people lived, traded, and organized their societies. Fieldwork is central to this degree; most programmes require participation in an archaeological field school, where you get hands-on experience excavating and documenting real sites. Coursework also covers archaeological theory, dating methods, and increasingly, digital tools like GIS for mapping and analyzing sites.
Program objectives
- 01Learn excavation, survey, and artifact documentation techniques.
- 02Understand archaeological theory and methods of interpreting material culture.
- 03Build skills in dating techniques and site analysis.
- 04Gain hands-on fieldwork experience through a field school or excavation placement.
- 05Develop research and writing skills for presenting archaeological findings.
Why choose this program
Genuinely hands-on learning
Fieldwork and lab analysis make this one of the more physically engaged humanities degrees, rather than being purely classroom-based.
Growing career path in cultural resource management
As construction and development projects expand, so does demand for archaeologists who assess and protect historic sites before building begins.
Builds broadly transferable research skills
The critical thinking, research, and writing skills you develop apply well beyond archaeology itself, into law, education, museum work, and more.
Skills you'll build
- Excavation and archaeological survey techniques
- Artifact analysis and documentation
- Dating methods (e.g. radiocarbon dating)
- GIS mapping and spatial analysis
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina for fieldwork
- Critical thinking and interpretation
- Written and verbal communication of research findings
Tools & software
- GIS mapping software
- Archaeological survey and excavation equipment
- Artifact cataloguing databases
Challenges to expect
Academic
- Interpreting archaeological evidence involves a lot of uncertainty and debate, which some students find frustrating compared to more clear-cut fields.
Technical
- Learning proper excavation and documentation technique takes real practice and can't be fully learned from a textbook.
Financial
- Field schools, which are often required, can add extra costs on top of regular tuition.
Personal
- Fieldwork often means working outdoors in tough conditions -- heat, dust, physical labor -- for extended periods.
Tips from the field
- Sign up for a field school as early as your programme allows -- it's often required for professional archaeology jobs, not just recommended.
- Learn GIS and basic digital mapping tools; they're increasingly standard in archaeology and make you more competitive for jobs.
- Consider which direction interests you most -- academic research, cultural resource management, or museum work -- since it shapes which electives and further study are worth pursuing.
Career paths
- Field archaeologist
- Cultural resource management (CRM) archaeologist
- Museum curator
- Heritage/conservation officer
- University lecturer or researcher (with further study)
Where you can study this
| Name | Latest cutoff | Tuition (annual) |
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FAQs
Will I actually get to dig at real archaeological sites?+
Yes, most programmes require or strongly encourage participation in a field school, where you get hands-on excavation experience at a real site.
Is this the same as Anthropology?+
They're closely related and often taught in the same department, but Archaeology focuses specifically on physical remains and material culture, while Anthropology covers a broader study of human societies, including living cultures.
Can I get a job with just a bachelor's degree in Archaeology?+
Entry-level fieldwork and lab assistant roles are possible with a bachelor's, but higher-level positions like curator or lead researcher typically require a master's or PhD.
Is the job market for archaeologists competitive?+
It's a relatively small field with steady but not explosive demand, so building varied skills and gaining plenty of field experience really helps your job prospects.
What's Cultural Resource Management, and why does it matter?+
It's the practice of assessing and protecting historic and archaeological sites before construction or development projects proceed -- it's one of the fastest-growing employment areas for archaeologists today.
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