Department of Anthropology

Pre-Fall 2007 Anthropology Major with an Archaeology Emphasis

This is a major for students who wish to pursue careers in research, environmental impact assessment, education, museum work, historic preservation, the Park Service, or professional archaeology. Archaeologists study the material remains of ancient peoples and cultures in order to deduce information about culture, lifestyles and cultural change. Historical archaeology deals with cultures for which there are written records and is closely allied with the field of history. Prehistoric archaeology deals with the remains of cultures for which there are no written records and uses the remains of tools, structures and of plants and animals to reconstruct the history of the human species.

Skills Developed in this Degree

The archaeology emphasis provides students with a foundational knowledge of the theory and methods underlying modern archaeology, and a general understanding of New and Old World culture growth. Students learn how archaeologists reconstruct past behavioral systems through the analysis of material remains, and they develop skills in field and laboratory methods through hands-on experience. The ability to find out information, think critically about it, and to communicate that information through writing and speaking are the necessary skills for many careers in today’s culturally diverse world.

Consult your advisor about specific requirement for an Anthropology Major with an Emphasis on Archaeology.