Archaeology

Archaeology is the study of the human past through the physical traces people have left behind: the tools they made, the buildings they constructed, the settlements they inhabited and the objects they deposited. It is both a rigorous science and a humanistic discipline, combining fieldwork, laboratory analysis, dating methods and careful interpretation to reconstruct how people lived in times and places for which no written records survive. It spans every period of human existence, from the earliest stone tools made hundreds of thousands of years ago to the very recent past, and encompasses societies on every continent.

The questions it asks, about how humans organised themselves, what they believed, how they adapted to their environments and how they changed over time, are as relevant now as ever.

At the University of Bradford this degree is offered with a foundation year, giving you additional time to develop the academic skills and background knowledge you need before entering the main programme. Bradford's archaeology provision draws on the university's particular strengths in archaeological science, with access to laboratory facilities and an emphasis on the scientific methods, including geoarchaeology, bioarchaeology, remote sensing and materials analysis, that characterise modern archaeological research. You will develop skills in fieldwork, excavation, artefact analysis and the interpretation of archaeological evidence alongside your broader historical and anthropological knowledge.

Graduates from Archaeology degrees go on to a wider range of careers than is sometimes assumed. Many find roles in archaeological field units, heritage consultancies, local authorities, museums and national heritage organisations. Others work in environmental assessment, construction and development management, cultural resource management, academia and education.

The skills that archaeology develops, including careful observation, systematic data collection, problem-solving and writing up complex information clearly, are also valued in research, publishing and a range of public sector roles. Postgraduate study is a common route for those wishing to specialise further.