Archaeology and Ancient History

Course description

Combining the study of ancient history with the theory and practice of archaeology, this interdisciplinary programme offers the opportunity to explore the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean with a particular emphasis on Greece and Rome.

You will gain the historiographic and archaeological skills required to understand past societies, including:

* the analysis of literary sources

* understanding of ancient buildings and forensic evidence

* learning ancient and modern languages

**Learn about societies and civilisations**

The rich body of literary and documentary texts that survive from ancient Greece and Rome provide fascinating insights into their culture and society.

Analysis of these compelling documentary sources forms a key component of this programme. However, historical accounts are often fragmentary, and are sometimes biased towards major events or prominent individuals.

Archaeology, the study of the material remains of past peoples, offers an additional source of evidence for reconstructing and understanding the day-to-day lives of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Archaeology investigates the human past using material remains such as artefacts and excavated sites to reconstruct the life of early societies, including:

* economic life

* social life

* cultural life

**Teaching and research expertise**

At Edinburgh, we have a rich tradition of archaeological teaching and research. Our specialisms include:

* European prehistory

* the early civilisations of the Mediterranean

* the Near East and Egypt

You will be introduced to standard and innovative archaeological techniques and the practice and theory of archaeology, including:

* science-based archaeology

* animal and human bones

* digital applications

**Practical skills**

We emphasise the importance of training in practical archaeological skills.

You will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience of artefact identification and analysis in practical sessions using artefacts from our own Vere Gordon Childe collection.

**Fieldwork**

You will complete 3 weeks of archaeological fieldwork at the end of Year 1. In later years of study you will also have the option to complete:

* further fieldwork

* projects in heritage management and public engagement

* lab-based analysis of archaeological remains

Subjects

• Ancient history