Offered By	ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
Academic Contact	Prof Matthew Spriggs

The program in Archaeology provides students with an understanding of all periods of the human past and an insight into the application of archaeological techniques, especially those of excavation and the analysis of material evidence. Archaeology is the study of human life as revealed by the material debris of human activities. Many archaeological investigations focus on the exploration of human societies in the past, accomplished by the application of a variety of scientific techniques. Studying archaeology therefore can form an interesting 'bridge' for many students across the divide between the 'two cultures' of science and the humanities. Courses in the Archaeology major are designed to give students a secure grounding in archaeological theory, methods and techniques as well as in studies of particular regions of the world. There are several courses that involve practical and field components. In these courses students learn techniques of site recording, description and mapping, and the analysis of bones, plants and artefacts from archaeological sites.

First year archaeology courses give an introduction to the techniques and theory of archaeology and a survey of the ancient world, from the origins of humans to the emergence of civilisations. In later-year courses there is an emphasis on the archaeology of Australia and adjacent regions in the Pacific and Asia. European and Latin American archaeology are further areas of concentration at this level. Thematic later-year courses include the connection of archaeology and popular culture, the organisation of ancient and modern agricultural and hunter-gatherer societies, the processes that form the archaeological record, environmental archaeology, understanding early technologies, landscape archaeology, archaeology of death and mortuary practices, the history of archaeology, and field and laboratory methods.

Students considering the possibility of entering careers as professional archaeologists should plan their courses with a view to taking the degree with honours. Specific preparation for honours work begins in third year with ARCH3000.  Students intending to take honours are advised to discuss course selection with the archaeology convener.

Requirements

A major in Archaeology is made up of a minimum of 42 units consisting of:

(a) First year Archaeology course to the value of 12 units: ARCH1111 and ARCH1112; plus
(b) Later-year courses to the value of 30 units chosen from List 1. (See List 1 below)

For information on Honours in Archaeology click here.

For information on combined Honours in Archaeology and Biological Anthropology click here.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.