Archaeology

Choose a major in Archaeology

Explore the human past.

Delve into the world’s rich cultural history, uncovering the links between past, present and future societies. Get your hands dirty, digging up secrets of the past and investigating clues in an archaeological laboratory. A major in Archaeology makes sense of the world by identifying connections between fossil remains of past ancestors, artefacts and material culture once used by past societies, and particular cultural and natural environments. You will be introduced to different ways of knowing the world—drawing on the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. In addition, you will develop transferable skills in computing and written, oral and graphic communication.

Why study Archaeology?

Gain an understanding of human behavioural variability across millions of years and in different global regions
Recognise the importance of space and time in analysing different phenomena
Learn to think critically and creatively, work effectively in teams, and take initiative
Recognise, evaluate and synthesise various views, arguments and sources of information pertinent to solving puzzles relating to differences in human behaviour in a variety of past cultural and environmental contexts

What you will study

Interactions between environments, society, economy and culture
Evolution of humans and their primate ancestors from fossil evidence
Environmental and climate change
Artefacts and material culture associated with past societies
Archaeological sites associated with a range of environmental and cultural contexts
Field and laboratory methods
Geographical information systems

Add Archaeology to your degree

Bachelor of Arts and Science

Bachelor of Education (Primary R-7), Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts, Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

Bachelor of Arts - Enhanced Program for High Achievers

Bachelor of Arts, Master of Teaching (Primary R-7)

How many topics will you study?

An Archaeology major is made up of 36 units, including:

two Year 1 topics (9 units)
two Year 2 topics (9 units)
two Year 3 topics (9 units)
plus two additional topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topic options.

Archaeology can also be taken as a minor. Your 22.5 units will include:

two Year 1 topics (9 units)
two Year 2 topics (9 units)
plus an additional topic (4.5 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topic options.

You may complete an extended major sequence in Archaeology by completing the prescribed major topics (36 units), plus an additional two topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics. An extended major in Archaeology is not available to students enrolled in the double Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Add a year of Honours

Kickstart your career or future in research with one extra year.

By adding just one year full-time to your undergraduate degree, you can graduate with Honours. Enhance your career prospects, delve deeper into knowledge or launch yourself into the world of research.

Explore your honours year

Your career

Your analytical, laboratory and fieldwork skills will prepare you to be a problem solver suited to positions requiring good communication, data management and information synthesis.