Archaeological Science

Archaeological science applies the natural sciences to the study of the human past, using the methods of chemistry, physics, biology, and geology to extract information from material remains that text-based history cannot reach. Where traditional archaeology focuses on the description and interpretation of artefacts, sites, and structures, archaeological science asks deeper questions: how old is this object? Where were these materials sourced?

How did this person live, and what did they eat? What does the landscape of this region reveal about ancient land use and environment? The answers require specialist techniques including radiocarbon dating, isotope analysis, ancient DNA analysis, soil micromorphology, and archaeometallurgy, among many others.

At the University of the Highlands and Islands, this four-year programme gives you the scientific and technical training to ask and answer these kinds of questions. You will develop expertise in archaeological science methods alongside the contextual knowledge of archaeology needed to apply those methods meaningfully, understanding that scientific data only makes sense when interpreted within broader archaeological and historical frameworks. The Highlands and Islands setting is itself a distinctive learning environment, rich in prehistoric and historic sites, and UHI's embeddedness in this landscape means that fieldwork and real site contexts are integral to your studies.

You will develop laboratory and analytical skills, fieldwork competence, and the ability to communicate scientific findings clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. These are skills that are valued across the environmental, heritage, and research sectors.

Graduates from archaeological science degrees pursue careers in field archaeology and excavation, heritage management, environmental consultancy, laboratory analysis, museum conservation, and academic research. Postgraduate study in archaeological science, geoarchaeology, environmental archaeology, or heritage management is a common route for those who wish to specialise or pursue research at a higher level.