Environmental Archaeology

Environmental Archaeology at University College London offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum that explores the relationship between humans and the environment through the lens of archaeological research. This programme is designed for students interested in understanding past environments, how humans have interacted with natural landscapes, and how these insights can inform current environmental challenges. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, including the analysis of archaeological remains such as plant and animal residues, sediments, and artifacts, to reconstruct past climates, ecosystems, and human activity. The course covers a wide range of topics, including palaeoecology, archaeological science, geoarchaeology, and heritage management, providing students with a broad understanding of how environmental data is integrated into archaeological interpretation. Students will engage in fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and research projects, developing proficiency in various dating techniques, spatial analysis, and laboratory procedures relevant to environmental archaeology. The programme is taught by leading experts in the field and benefits from UCL’s extensive archaeological and scientific facilities. Graduates of the programme will be equipped with the analytical skills and interdisciplinary knowledge necessary for careers in archaeology, heritage management, environmental consultancy, and academic research. The programme emphasizes critical thinking, data interpretation, and effective communication of complex scientific information. Students will also explore contemporary issues such as climate change, conservation, and sustainable development from an archaeological perspective. Throughout their studies, students are encouraged to undertake independent research, participate in seminars, and collaborate on projects that enhance their understanding of environmental processes throughout history. With a strong focus on practical skills, theoretical grounding, and real-world applications, the Environmental Archaeology programme prepares graduates to contribute meaningfully to academia, industry, and policy-making related to environmental and archaeological sciences.

Students gain practical experience in laboratory analysis of at least one of either: identification of animal bones, identification of plant macro-remains, sedimentological analyses. They develop an understanding of stratigraphic formation processes and their implications for developing sampling strategies, and are trained to collect and analyse data and report scientific results.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of three core modules (45 credits), optional modules (45 credits) and a research dissertation (90 credits).

Core modules

Students are required to take the following: 

• Environmental Archaeology in Practice
• Resources and Subsistence

Optional modules

• Archaeology of the Late Pleistocene and Holocene Hunter Gatherers
• British and European Prehistory: Neolithic to Iron Age
• Funerary Archaeology
• Middle Bronze Age to the Iron Age in the Near East: City-States and Empires
• The Aegean from First Farmers to Minoan States
• The Mediterranean World in the Iron Age
• The Neolithic and Early Bronze Age of the Near East: The emergence of villages and urban societies

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project, normally based on practical laboratory-based research, which culminates in a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, presentations, laboratory sessions, practicals, and site and museum visits. Assessment is through the dissertation, and a combination of essays, coursework, presentations, practical examination and laboratory reports, depending on the options selected.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

Institute of Archaeology Master's Awards: A small number of grants of £1,000 are available for the academic year 2017/18. All UK/EU and Overseas fee paying students with an offer to start any Master's degree offered by the IoA are eligible to apply.

The MSc in Environmental Archaeology at University College London is a distinctive postgraduate program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the archaeological evidence of past environments and human interactions with them. This program combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, enabling graduates to analyze and interpret archaeological data related to environmental change, land use, climate change, and the movement of species over time.

The curriculum covers a wide array of topics, including paleoenvironmental reconstruction, zooarchaeology, archaeobotany, geoarchaeology, and sediment analysis. Students are introduced to various research methods such as sediment sampling, laboratory analysis, and GIS applications, preparing them for careers in archaeology, environmental consultancy, and heritage management. The program emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating archaeology, geology, ecology, and environmental science to understand how ancient peoples adapted to their changing environments and how past environments can inform present and future environmental challenges.

Students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on training through practical sessions in laboratory techniques and fieldwork, which may include excavations and collecting environmental samples. The program also encourages research projects that allow students to contribute original insights into environmental change and human history. The faculty comprises experts in archaeology, environmental science, and related fields, offering students mentorship and opportunities for academic collaboration.

The MSc in Environmental Archaeology at UCL is suitable for students aiming to pursue careers in university research, cultural heritage sectors, environmental consultancy, or further doctoral studies. The program is typically part-time or full-time, with flexible schedules to accommodate different student needs. Admission requirements commonly include a relevant undergraduate degree in archaeology, environmental science, geography, or a related discipline.

The university’s strong links with archaeological sites, museums, and research institutions provide students with valuable networking opportunities. Graduates of the program are equipped with both theoretical understanding and practical skills, allowing them to analyze environmental data critically and contribute to our understanding of past human-environment interactions. Overall, this program is committed to fostering a multidisciplinary perspective essential for the study of environmental archaeology and addressing contemporary environmental issues based on archaeological insights.