Program Overview

• Ranked 6th for overall student satisfaction in England for Archaeology, and 2nd out of the modern (post-’92) universities in England
• Learn applied scientific approach to archaeology, with fieldwork opportunities throughout the year and research using original laboratory and/or field data
• Use our fully equipped laboratory and the latest range of industry-standard surveying equipment, including a ground penetrating radar and geoscan gradiometers
• Join research projects abroad, such as in Barbados and Georgia
• Explore the rich archaeological heritage of Wessex
• Accredited by The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and University Archaeology UK (UAUK).

The course covers a broad range of methods and techniques. In our well-equipped laboratories you can learn how to analyse the chemical composition of human and animal bones and discover what they reveal about past diets; in the field you can choose to work on sites in both Britain and overseas, and in the library, you can study archaeological periods ranging from the Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age), through Classical Greece to the medieval and post-medieval periods.

In Year 1 you dig into the theory and practice of archaeology, while covering the story of humanity. You explore the methods, theories and approaches that underpin archaeological science, as well as considering the importance of fieldwork and material culture.

In Year 2, you acquire the scientific skills that are key in archaeology, such as laboratory techniques and the use of Geographic Information Systems software. You also explore archaeological theory and consider how past climate and environmental change has affected ancient cultures. You then put these skills and knowledge to use in practical projects in your areas of interest, which may include human bioarchaeology (the study of human skeletal remains), geomatics and remote sensing, or geomorphology.

During Year 3, you write a dissertation based on a piece of applied scientific research that you carry out, usually in a laboratory and/or field setting. You can also branch out into examining the archaeology of the southern Caucasus, the Caribbean, as well as Europe and from a range of perspectives. These latter include the impact of the natural environement, religion, society and conflict.

The Department of Archaeology, Anthropology and Geography at the University of Winchester is a Registered Archaeological Organisation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), a quality assurance scheme for professional practice in the field.