Archaeology and Ancient History MA (Hons)

In Year 1, you will study Archaeology 1A and Archaeology 1B. 

These courses offer a broad introduction to our human past. They cover the period from the evolution of the first humans several million years ago, to the emergence of farming and the development of civilisations in Europe, Egypt and the Near East. 

These courses also cover the key techniques that archaeologists use, including:

• methods of site discovery
• excavation
• recording and analysing artefacts
• scientific analysis of animal and human remains

You will also:

• complete two of our four survey courses which cover the history and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds from archaic Greece to the later Roman empire
• choose a further two courses from a wide range of options
• undertake three weeks of fieldwork during the long holiday at the end of Year 1

Archaeology

In Year 2, you will study the archaeology of Scotland from the earliest evidence of human occupation at the end of the last ice age to the Roman incursion in the early first millennium AD.

Key themes include:

• the world heritage sites in the 'heart' of Scotland (such as Neolithic Orkney)
• human-environment interaction
• the ways in which the environment shapes human behaviour
• the lasting impact activities such as farming had on the Scottish landscape

A field trip to visit archaeological sites and visits to the Museum of Scotland are core components of this course.

You will also study Archaeology in Action. This develops your understanding of professional archaeological practice. It also explores exciting innovations in archaeological methods through real-world application and hands-on practical exercises.

Ancient History

You will complete two ancient history courses, which form core components of the curriculum: Ancient History 2A and 2B.

In these courses, you will:

• focus on ancient historical writing and other textual sources of information for the ancient world
• develop your understanding of the practical skills and theoretical basis for studying Greek and Roman history

You will also select one course from:

• The Transformation of the Roman World
• Roman Art and Archaeology
• or, Greek Art and Archaeology

You will also study one course from a range of options outside of your primary subjects.

In Year 3, you will:

• Study Theoretical Archaeology, which explores the history of archaeology from its antiquarian beginnings in the 18th and 19th centuries and its development as an academic discipline.
• Consider the theories that archaeologists have used to understand and interpret the remains that they have found and examine how these ideas have changed over the past 150 years.
• Study Archaeology in Practice, which focuses on the contemporary practice of archaeology in the UK as well as internationally, providing an insight into the practical skills required of professional archaeologists.

You will also choose four courses to study, including:

• two courses from a wide selection of ancient history (Greece, Rome, and Byzantium, for example)
• two courses in either archaeology or ancient history

Fieldwork

There will be opportunities, normally in the summer after Years 2 and 3, to complete archaeology fieldwork or other practical assignments in the UK or abroad. This work is optional but can be assessed as part of your programme.

In Year 4, you will select four courses from a wide range of options:

• two archaeology courses
• two ancient history and classical art/archaeology courses

You will also write your honours dissertation. Your dissertation may be on a theme of your choice in either archaeology or ancient history, or on a topic bridging the disciplines.