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The concentration in archaeology offers training in both the academic and applied aspects of archaeology, preparing you to understand the past, identify its relevance to the present and safeguard for the future. Our goal is to provide you with knowledge and skills that coherently integrate theory and practice.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the core degree requirements in anthropology, archaeology track students must also complete:

  • ANTH 3990 Summer Field School in Archaeology or ANTH 3790 Field Methods in Archaeology or a substitute field experience (e.g., previous field school or CRM work) approved by the department's director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the student's advisor
  • ANTH 3630 Archaeological Method and Theory
  • One cultural anthropology course and one museum and heritage studies course chosen in consultation with the student's advisor

And at least one of the following courses:

  • ANTH 3170 Applied Heritage Management
  • ANTH 3390 Geoarchaeology
  • ANTH 4040 Historical Archaeology

“It was a really valuable part of my education, thinking about how to make your work matter. Archaeologists aren’t making better drugs or curing cancer or building rockets. But they do have a vital role as heritage professionals, which the program at DU really emphasized.”

Andrew Bair, Alumni, MA in anthropology Read more
Andrew Bair using GPR in Ireland

"I think this part of history — American history — should be preserved and we should be able to tell the story as well as we can." 

Gary Ono, Community Partner, Former Amache Internee

Featured Faculty

 
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Bonnie Clark

Bonnie J. Clark

Director, Undergraduate Studies; Professor, Archaeology

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Nicole Marie Herzog

Nicole M. Herzog

Associate Professor, Archaeology

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"We are doing history in a way that's not written down in the history books. We're doing history by looking at the material record of people's lives."

Lawrence Conyers, Faculty, Department of Anthropology

Featured Courses

ANTH 2040

Historical Archaeology

About this Course

Because it is the archaeology of periods for which there is also written history, historical archaeology is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field. It also has a distinct set of concerns and methods that builds upon, but does not replicate, those of prehistoric archaeology. This course is designed to engage students in the practice of historical archaeology through readings, discussions and the hands-on analysis of archaeological materials. The first class of each week is a discussion of readings in historical archaeology. The readings introduce students to theoretical and methodological issues in the discipline, as well as important case studies. Many of the readings have a North American focus but also address international practice. The second class of each week has a hands-on focus. Backed by readings on historic materials analysis, we discuss and practice the types of research historical archaeologists perform on actual materials, focusing on different material types each week. Students in the course each process and analyze a set of materials excavated from a historic site. 

ANTH 3130

The Archaeology of Gender

About this Course

This course examines the ways archaeology can contribute to the study of gender through investigations of the deep through recent past. The class will include readings on gender theory, the uses of archaeological data and specific case studies of engendered lives in the past. Cross listed with GWST 3130.

ANTH 3350

Latin American Archaeology

About this Course

Covers the prehistory of the Western Hemisphere south of the Mexico-U.S. border, from initial colonization of the hemisphere by Paleo-Indian people, to the origins of agriculture and the rise of civilization. Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, Chavin, Moche and Inca cultures are covered in detail.

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