Archaeology and Anthropology

Archaeology and anthropology are disciplines that share a fundamental question: what does it mean to be human? Archaeology explores this question by studying the material traces left by past societies, from ancient settlements and burial sites to tools, art, and food remains, recovering evidence of how people lived before and beyond the reach of written records. Anthropology approaches the same question from a social and cultural angle, examining human diversity in the present and recent past, asking why different societies organise themselves differently and what principles of kinship, belief, economy, and power connect and divide us.

At Southampton, which is one of the UK's leading research universities for both disciplines, this three-year full-time degree combines them in a genuinely interdisciplinary way. You will study global human diversity in time and space, developing both the theoretical background and the practical skills that each discipline requires. Fieldwork is a central component of the programme, and you will participate in active research projects either in the UK or abroad, gaining direct experience of archaeological excavation or ethnographic investigation alongside your academic study.

Southampton's location provides access to rich archaeological landscapes, and the department's research connections span the world.

Graduates from archaeology and anthropology go on to careers in heritage and conservation, museums and galleries, community archaeology, international development, humanitarian work, education, journalism, and the public sector. The combination of fieldwork experience, analytical rigour, and awareness of human diversity is valued in many contexts beyond the academy. Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in archaeology, social anthropology, heritage management, museum studies, or related disciplines, and the research skills developed at Southampton provide a strong foundation for doctoral work.