Archaeology 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
• recent and innovative approaches to reconstruct the life ways of past peoples

You will choose two courses complimentary to your studies and two 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.

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 the environment shapes human behaviour 
• the lasting impact activities like farming had on the Scottish landscape 

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

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

You are also required to take 'The Human Skeleton in Archaeology and Forensic Science'. This course provides an introduction to the study of human remains.  

Key topics include skeletal anatomy and the techniques used to determine age, sex and cause of death, as well as identifying indicators of ill-health, disease and violence.  

You will choose two courses complimentary to your studies and one from a wide range of options.

In Year 3, you will:

• Study Theoretical Archaeology. This course 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 beyond. It gives an insight into the practical skills required of professional archaeologists.
• Choose four additional courses from archaeology options.

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 archaeology option courses and write your honours dissertation.