Develop an understanding of archaeological methods and theory to unlock some of the most fundamental questions about human life, from the emergence of our species until the 20th century.

Studying human, animal and plant remains, artefacts and art, you will learn how to reconstruct the past from its material remains. You will investigate the major social, economic, religious and technological developments in long-term human history, from Britain to South Africa and Spain to China, and learn how to carry out archaeological excavation and survey.

Programme in detail

Year One modules provide students with a broad introduction to both archaeological methods and the archaeology of particular times and places around the world (including Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Africa and Europe).

Years Two and Three build on this foundation, introducing specialist modules that provide training in key concepts and techniques from the inorganic (eg metals, glass, pottery) and organic (eg human bones, plants, DNA) archaeological evidence.

You will also gain knowledge of key issues and discoveries in the archaeology of many parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. This programme has an archaeological fieldwork (and/or museum-based experience) requirement that totals four weeks. Year One fieldwork usually consists of participation in a department organised training project for two weeks. In Year Two, students are placed on an appropriate excavation or relevant professional experience. Currently there are departmental research projects in Greece, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Zambia as well as the UK.

Archaeology, Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology degrees from Liverpool provide you with a rigorous training experience that produces graduates with an unusual breadth of knowledge.

Our graduates are well equipped for a wide variety of careers in fields as diverse as journalism, heritage management, law, the civil service, teaching, business, IT and tourism. You can also go on to undertake further study and research degrees and our past students have had marked success in gaining employment in universities and major museums, locally, nationally and internationally.