Archaeology

The Archaeology program at Cornell University offers students an in-depth exploration of human history through the study of material remains, artifacts, and sites. This undergraduate degree provides a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical frameworks with hands-on fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and research methodologies. Students gain foundational knowledge in archaeological theory, prehistoric and historic archaeology, cultural anthropology, and conservation techniques. The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and a multidisciplinary approach to understand complex human pasts across different regions and time periods.

Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to engage in active research projects, participate in excavations, and collaborate with faculty renowned for their expertise in archaeology. The curriculum integrates courses in ancient civilizations, archaeological methods, environmental archaeology, and digital technologies used in archaeological documentation and analysis. Additionally, students can specialize in areas such as Near Eastern, Mediterranean, Egyptian, or American archaeology, depending on their interests.

Cornell’s state-of-the-art laboratories and extensive collections support experiential learning, allowing students to analyze artifacts, conduct dating techniques, and develop archaeological site reports. The program also encourages internships and field schools, providing practical experience that prepares graduates for careers in archaeology, cultural resource management, museum work, or further graduate study. Graduates of the program are equipped with the skills to interpret archaeological data, communicate findings effectively, and contribute to the preservation and understanding of cultural heritage.

The interdisciplinary nature of Cornell’s Archaeology program ensures students are well-prepared to address contemporary issues related to archaeological conservation, heritage management, and public education. Graduates leave with a global perspective, an appreciation for diverse cultures, and a solid foundation for lifelong research and discovery in the field of archaeology.

Comparative Survey Courses

Can be used to fulfill the Comparative Survey requirement. All majors and minors must take at least one course from this category.

• ARKEO 1200 - Ancient Peoples and Places (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2015 - [Archaeology of Empires] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2201 - Early Agriculture (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2430 - The Rise and Fall of Civilization (crosslisted)

Theory/Methods Courses

Can be used to fulfill the Theory/Methods requirement. All majors must take at least two courses from this category; minors must take one.

• ARKEO 2015 - [Archaeology of Empires] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2245 - [Health and Disease in the Ancient World] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2465 - Global Heritage (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2610 - Fieldwork in Urban Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2620 - Laboratory in Landscape Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3090 - Introduction to Dendrochronology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3210 - [Historical Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3230 - [Humans and Animals] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3232 - [Politics of the Past] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3235 - Bioarchaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3269 - Gender and Age in Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3451 - [Global Cultural Heritage] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4020 - [Designing Archaeological Exhibits] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4113 - [Archaeology of the Everyday: The Near East and Beyond] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4120 - [Archaeology of Orientalism] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4209 - Approaches to Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4211 - [Ceramic Analysis for Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4230 - [History of Archaeological Thought] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4233 - [Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4235 - Meaningful Stuff: Interpreting Material Culture (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4240 - [Collecting Culture: Museums and Anthropology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4246 - [Human Osteology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4258 - [Archaeological Analysis] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4263 - Zooarchaeological Method (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4264 - Zooarchaeological Interpretation (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4270 - [Political Economy in Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4272 - [Archaeology of Colonialism and Cultural Entanglement] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4450 - [Faces of Power] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4510 - [Advanced Fieldwork in Historical Archaeology]
• ARKEO 4520 - [Advanced Laboratory in Historical Archaeology]
• ARKEO 4670 - Wealth and Power: Political Economy in Ancient Near Eastern States(crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6020 - [Designing Archaeological Exhibits] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6120 - [Archaeology of Orientalism] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6150 - [Archaeology of Greek Religion: Theory, Methods, and Practice] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6210 - [Historical Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6211 - [Ceramic Analysis for Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6230 - [Humans and Animals] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6232 - [Politics of the Past] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6233 - [Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6235 - Bioarchaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6258 - [Archaeological Analysis] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6267 - [Contemporary Archaeological Theory] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6269 - Gender and Age in Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6401 - [Material Theory I: Landscape & Place] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6402 - [Material Theory II: Assemblage & Object] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6510 - [Advanced Fieldwork in Historical Archaeology]
• ARKEO 6520 - [Advanced Laboratory in Historical Archaeology]
• ARKEO 7113 - [Archaeology of the Everyday: The Near East and Beyond] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7209 - Approaches to Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7230 - [History of Archaeological Thought] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7235 - Meaningful Stuff: Interpreting Material Culture (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7240 - [Collecting Culture: Museums and Anthropology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7246 - [Human Osteology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7270 - [Political Economy in Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7272 - [Archaeology of Colonialism and Cultural Entanglement] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7450 - [Faces of Power] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7738 - [Image Love, Image Hate] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7741 - [Methods and Approaches in Current Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7742 - [Research Methods in Archaeology] (crosslisted)

Courses by Regional Distribution

All majors and minors must take courses from at least two regional concentrations, not including courses in the “multi-regional” category.

Mediterranean and Near Eastern Archaeology:

• ARKEO 2010 - Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2285 - [Egyptomania: Imagining Egypt in the Greco-Roman World] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2522 - [Drinking in the Ages: Intoxicating Beverages in Near Eastern and World History] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2550 - [Origins of Monotheism] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2640 - [Introduction to Ancient Medicine] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2641 - The Technology of Ancient Rome (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2666 - Jerusalem Through the Ages (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2668 - Ancient Egyptian Civilization (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2688 - Cleopatra's Egypt: Tradition and Transformation (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2700 - [Introduction to Art History: The Classical World in 24 Objects] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2710 - Roman Wall Painting (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2711 - Archaeology of the Roman world: Italy and the West (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2743 - [Archaeology/Roman Private Life] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2846 - Magic and Witchcraft in the Greco-Roman World (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3010 - [The Archaeology of the City of Rome] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3130 - Iconography of Greek Myth (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3225 - [Archaic & Classical Greece] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3226 - Art of Late Antiquity (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3370 - [Constantinople/Istanbul, 330-1566] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3588 - [Biblical Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3611 - Ancient Ships and Seafaring: Introduction to Nautical Archaeology(crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3661 - Sumerian Language and Culture I (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3662 - Sumerian Language and Culture II (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3724 - [Death in the Roman Empire] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3839 - Archaeology of Ancient Greek Religion (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4120 - [Archaeology of Orientalism] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4233 - [Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4254 - [Themes in Mediterranean Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4351 - [Problems in Byzantine Art] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4450 - [Faces of Power] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4550 - Archaeology of the Phoenicians (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4633 - New Directions in Near Eastern Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4670 - Wealth and Power: Political Economy in Ancient Near Eastern States(crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4736 - [The Aesthetics of the Sacred in Ancient Greece] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4748 - [In Search of the Ancient Artist] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6120 - [Archaeology of Orientalism] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6150 - [Archaeology of Greek Religion: Theory, Methods, and Practice] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6226 - Art of Late Antiquity (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6233 - [Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6351 - [Problems in Byzantine Art] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6610 - [Archaeology of Iraq and Its Neighbors] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6633 - New Directions in Near Eastern Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6635 - [Advanced Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6661 - Sumerian Language and Culture I (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6662 - Sumerian Language and Culture II (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6737 - Graduate Introduction to Greek and Roman Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6739 - [Archaeology of the Aegean Bronze Age, ca. 3000-1000: from villages to palaces] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7254 - [Themes in Mediterranean Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7450 - [Faces of Power] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7650 - [Hellenistic Religions] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7729 - [Emergence of Greek Civilization] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7743 - [Archaeology of the Hellenistic Mediterranean] (crosslisted)

North American Archaeology:

• ARKEO 2235 - [Archaeology of North American Indians] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2610 - Fieldwork in Urban Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2620 - Laboratory in Landscape Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3210 - [Historical Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3248 - [Iroquois Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3600 - [Pre-Industrial Cities and Towns in North America] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4510 - [Advanced Fieldwork in Historical Archaeology]
• ARKEO 4520 - [Advanced Laboratory in Historical Archaeology]
• ARKEO 6210 - [Historical Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6248 - [Iroquois Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6510 - [Advanced Fieldwork in Historical Archaeology]
• ARKEO 6520 - [Advanced Laboratory in Historical Archaeology]

Latin American and Caribbean Archaeology:

• ARKEO 3255 - [Ancient Mexico and Central America] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3256 - [Ancient Civilizations of the Andes] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3566 - Art and Architecture of the Pre-Columbian Americas (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4216 - [Maya History] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4220 - Inkas and their Empire (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4256 - [Books of Fate, Books of the Ancestors: Astrology and History in Ancient Mesoamerica] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4268 - [Aztecs and Their Empire: Myth, History, and Politics] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6255 - [Ancient Mexico and Central America] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6256 - [Maya History] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7220 - Inkas and their Empire (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7256 - [Ancient Civilizations of the Andes] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7268 - [Aztecs and Their Empire: Myth, History, and Politics] (crosslisted)

South, Southeast, and East Asian Archaeology:

• ARKEO 3800 - Introduction to the Arts of China (crosslisted)

Archaeology of Europe, the Caucasus, and Eurasia:

• ARKEO 4213 - [Archaeology of Eurasia: The Caucasus, Steppe, and Central Asia](crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4450 - [Faces of Power] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4517 - Saving Synagogues: Architecture, Historic Preservation and Communication(crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7213 - [Archaeology of Eurasia: The Caucasus, Steppe, and Central Asia](crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7450 - [Faces of Power] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7517 - Saving Synagogues: Architecture, Historic Preservation and Communication(crosslisted)

Multi-regional courses:

Note: these cannot be used to fulfill Regional Distribution requirements, though some may be able to fulfill either the Comparative Survey or the Theory/Methods requirements–see above).

• ARKEO 1200 - Ancient Peoples and Places (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2015 - [Archaeology of Empires] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2200 - [Early People: The Archaeological and Fossil Record] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2201 - Early Agriculture (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2215 - Stone Age Art (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2245 - [Health and Disease in the Ancient World] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2430 - The Rise and Fall of Civilization (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 2729 - [Climate, Archaeology and History] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3090 - Introduction to Dendrochronology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3230 - [Humans and Animals] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3232 - [Politics of the Past] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3245 - [Across the Seas: Contacts between the Americas and the Old World Before Columbus] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3269 - Gender and Age in Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3451 - [Global Cultural Heritage] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3611 - Ancient Ships and Seafaring: Introduction to Nautical Archaeology(crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3710 - Humans and the Ancient Mediterranean Environment (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3712 - Archaeological Perspectives on the Rural Landscape (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 3738 - Identity in the Ancient World (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4020 - [Designing Archaeological Exhibits] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4113 - [Archaeology of the Everyday: The Near East and Beyond] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4209 - Approaches to Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4230 - [History of Archaeological Thought] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4258 - [Archaeological Analysis] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4263 - Zooarchaeological Method (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4264 - Zooarchaeological Interpretation (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4267 - [Origins of Agriculture] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4270 - [Political Economy in Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 4272 - [Archaeology of Colonialism and Cultural Entanglement] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6230 - [Humans and Animals] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6232 - [Politics of the Past] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6245 - [Across the Seas: Contacts between the Americas and the Old World Before Columbus] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6258 - [Archaeological Analysis] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6269 - Gender and Age in Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6729 - [Climate, Archaeology and History] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6738 - Networks in Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 6755 - Archaeological Dendrochronology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7113 - [Archaeology of the Everyday: The Near East and Beyond] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7209 - Approaches to Archaeology (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7230 - [History of Archaeological Thought] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7270 - [Political Economy in Archaeology] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7272 - [Archaeology of Colonialism and Cultural Entanglement] (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7710 - Humans and the Ancient Mediterranean Environment (crosslisted)
• ARKEO 7712 - Archaeological Perspectives on the Rural Landscape (crosslisted)

Special Topics and Thesis

• ARKEO 3000 - Undergraduate Independent Study in Archaeology and Related Fields
• ARKEO 4981 - Honors Thesis Research
• ARKEO 4982 - Honors Thesis Write-Up
• ARKEO 6000 - Graduate Independent Study in Archaeology
• ARKEO 6100 - The Craft of Archaeology
• ARKEO 8901 - Master's Thesis
• ARKEO 8902 - Master's Thesis

• Diplom Bakalavra; or, for institutes that do not award Diplom Bakalavra,a Diplom accompanied by transcript of courses taken and a letter from the university confirming that the applicant completed 3 years of study
• Transcripts 
• TOEFL. A minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) is required.
• 3 Recommendations
• GRE general test
• GRE general test
• Writing sample

The Archaeology program at Cornell University offers a range of financing options to assist students in funding their education. Undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology can explore various sources of financial aid, including federal and state grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Eligibility for federal financial aid requires completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which should be submitted annually to determine the student's eligibility for need-based assistance. Cornell University also provides institutional grants and scholarships specifically aimed at archaeology students, which are awarded based on academic merit and financial need.

Graduate students enrolled in archaeology-related master's or doctoral programs have access to fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. These positions not only provide a stipend and tuition remission but also offer valuable research and teaching experience. Additionally, the university encourages students to seek external funding sources such as national research council grants, archaeological society scholarships, and private foundations dedicated to supporting historical and cultural research.

The university's Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment provides comprehensive guidance to students on available funding avenues, application procedures, and deadlines. Students are advised to proactively research and apply for scholarships and grants early in their academic career to maximize their financial resources. Cornell also promotes a range of loan programs with reasonable interest rates and repayment options to help cover educational expenses.

For international students, funding options are more limited; however, some scholarship opportunities are available based on academic achievement and extracurricular involvement. International students are encouraged to contact the university’s Office of Global Learning for personalized advice on scholarships and external funding sources suitable to their circumstances.

Overall, Cornell University is committed to making archaeology education accessible through various financial support programs. Students are encouraged to utilize the university’s resources and seek external funding opportunities to help finance their studies and reduce financial barriers. Combining institutional aid, scholarships, loans, and work opportunities, students can effectively plan their finances to pursue their academic and research goals in archaeology.

The Archaeology program at Cornell University offers students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education in the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation and analysis of artifacts and archaeological sites. The program emphasizes a broad understanding of cultural, social, and environmental contexts in which ancient peoples lived, providing students with both theoretical knowledge and practical fieldwork experience. Students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on excavations, laboratories, and conservation projects, often participating in archaeological field schools in locations such as Israel, Greece, or Central America, which complement classroom learning. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including ancient civilizations, archaeological methods, art and iconography, ethnography, and the use of scientific techniques such as radiocarbon dating and GIS technology. Cornell's strong faculty includes leading archaeologists specialized in regions spanning from the Near East to the Americas. The program encourages critical thinking, methodological rigor, and cultural awareness, preparing students for careers in archaeology, heritage management, museum curation, or advanced research. In addition to undergraduate studies, Cornell offers graduate programs that allow students to pursue specialized research under the guidance of renowned faculty. The department also emphasizes the importance of ethical practices in archaeology and promotes collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches. Students are encouraged to participate in internships and professional development activities, facilitating the transition from academic studies to careers in archaeology and related fields. The university's extensive resources, including libraries, collections, and research centers, support students' academic pursuits and foster an environment of discovery and scholarly excellence.