Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations MA (Hons)

Archaeology

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

Classics

You will 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.

Option courses and fieldwork

You will also select two courses from a wide range of options.

Over the long holiday at the end of Year 1, you will need to complete three weeks of fieldwork.

Archaeology

You will study the archaeology of Scotland from the earliest evidence for 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

Field trip and visits

Visits to the Museum of Scotland and a field trip to archaeological sites are core components of this course.

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

Classics

You will select two courses from:

• The Transformation of the Roman World
• Greek Art and Archaeology
• Roman Art and Archaeology
• Ancient History 2A and 2B

In one of the ancient history courses, you will focus on ancient historical writing and other textual sources of information for the ancient world. In the other, you will develop your understanding of the practical skills and theoretical basis for studying Greek and Roman history.

Option courses

You will also choose two courses from a wide range of options within and outside your primary subjects.

Archaeology

In Year 3, you will:

• take 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 and internationally, and gives an insight into the practical skills required of professional archaeologists
• choose one additional archaeology course that aligns with your interests

Classics

On the Classics side of the programme, you will choose three courses on ancient history, classical art and archaeology from a wide range of honours-level courses.

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:

• study two courses on ancient history or classical art and archaeology
• study two archaeology courses from a wide range of honours level courses
• complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice, which can be written and supervised either in archaeology or in classics, or on a topic bridging these disciplines