Archaeology Program

The major in Archaeological Studies provides a program of interdepartmental offerings covering prehistoric, early historic, and medieval cultures and cultural developments in the Old and New Worlds, and introduces students to the analytic tools that facilitate archaeological studies. The major is designed to expose students to a variety of archaeological research perspectives: anthropological, historical, art historical, and physical science. Also emphasized are substantive studies including  study of such prehistoric–early historic transformations as the origins of agriculture, cities and states, and early empires, and study of the material culture, art, and architecture of prehistoric, early historic, and medieval cultures, including the iconography of ancient cultures, the relationship between art and society, ancient writing systems, and American historical archaeology.

In addition to being the base for several faculty field projects around the globe, the Council on Archaeological Studies takes as its principal mission the encouragement of multiple field experiences by our undergraduate and graduate students. Our undergraduate majors are required to participate in at least one intensive summer field school. Approval is required, and costs are often subsidized by the Council. Both undergraduates and graduate students are encouraged to participate in each other’s field projects, thereby learning about the greatest number of cultures and areas possible, while experiencing a diverse array of field situations. 

The major consists of thirteen courses including the senior project. The following six courses are required: an introductory survey; a summer course in field techniques or a Yale-affiliated summer research project, approved in advance by the Council; the introductory laboratory course ARCG 316L; an advanced laboratory course; a theory course; and the senior research project ARCG 491. The remaining seven courses required for the major must be distributed among the six subject areas represented by the departments and programs offering courses multiple-titled with Archaeological Studies, with three of those seven courses falling in different departments and programs. The relevant departments and programs are Anthropology, Classics, Environmental Studies, Geology and Geophysics, History of Art, and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Some courses may be applied to categories other than the ones in which they are listed below, upon application to the director of undergraduate studies. For three of the seven archaeology electives students may, with permission of the director of undergraduate studies, substitute three courses from other departments in areas related to their research.

Students majoring in Archaeological Studies are strongly encouraged, but not required, to devote a second summer either to archaeological research in the field or laboratory or to an additional field course in archaeology. Members of the Council faculty currently direct archaeological field projects in China, Egypt, Guatemala, Peru, Mali, Mongolia, Senegal, Syria, and Rome. Qualified majors are encouraged to apply for research positions with these projects.

Senior requirement The final requirement for the major is a senior research project (ARCG 491) in some field of archaeology, preferably one involving more than one area or discipline. Students majoring in Archaeological Studies should consult with the director of undergraduate studies at the beginning of each term.