Ancient History and Archaeology
Ancient history and archaeology together address the human past through its two most fundamental types of evidence: what people wrote and what they made. Ancient history reconstructs the political, social, cultural, and intellectual life of early civilisations through literary and documentary sources, asking how states were governed, how societies were organised, how people understood themselves and their world, and how they interacted with neighbours and rivals. Archaeology examines the physical remains of past life, from monumental buildings and fine metalwork to everyday pottery and the remains of meals, providing evidence for aspects of ancient life that texts rarely capture.
Together, the disciplines complement and enrich one another, offering a fuller picture of antiquity than either could provide alone.
Studied part-time at Birkbeck College in London, this BA allows you to develop serious expertise in both disciplines while managing other professional or personal commitments. Birkbeck's distinctive model of evening teaching and flexible study has made it one of the UK's leading institutions for part-time higher education. You will engage with the textual sources of the ancient world, developing skills in historical analysis and the critical interpretation of ancient literature, inscriptions, and documentary evidence.
The archaeology component provides hands-on experience with archives, collections, and archaeological practice, training you to read material culture as a form of historical evidence. The combination of analytical, research, and interpretive skills developed across both disciplines is considerable.
Graduates of ancient history and archaeology enter careers in museums, galleries, heritage organisations, archaeological practice, education, publishing, journalism, the civil service, and cultural heritage management. The research, writing, and critical thinking skills developed by the degree are valued across a wide range of professional contexts. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in ancient history, classical archaeology, museum studies, heritage management, or related fields, building the specialist expertise needed for academic or senior heritage roles.