Dickinson offers one of the only archaeology majors in the country. The fundamentals of archaeological practice are learned through introductory courses in archaeology and world prehistory, biological anthropology and earth sciences. We offer specialized courses in methods, theory and advanced topics in which students gain first-hand experience conducting research and interpretation.

The curriculum and student-faculty research are supported by three state-of-the art laboratories: the Keck Archaeology Laboratory, the Keck Anthropological Laboratory and the Dickinson Environmental Archaeology Lab (DEAL). 

Two areas of specialization allow students to pursue electives in Mediterranean archaeology and art (Area A) or anthropological and environmental archaeology with a focus on North and South American archaeology (Area B). Students gain valuable field experience by participating in summer excavations, laboratory analyses and museum internships.

Majors participate in the projects of our labs and also at archaeological field projects in Greece (Mycenae, Lamia), Bolivia (Taraco Peninsula) and Pennsylvania at nearby Camp Michaux. Students also enjoy guest lectures each semester and field trips to museums in Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C.

Anti-racism Statement

The Department of Anthropology & Archaeology at Dickinson College issues this statement in support of protests demanding anti-racist reforms to end police violence.

Read the full statement here

Contact Info

Chair

Maria BrunoAssociate Professor of Archaeology

Department coordinator

Denise A. McCauleySr. Academic Department Coordinator

Phone

717-245-1519

Fax

717-245-1479

Location

#219C, Denny Hall Mailing Address

Department Features


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Study Abroad
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Current Courses
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Student Research

Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs

  • Rowe Elementary School
  • Archaeological Testing and Consulting
  • Walt Disney Company
  • University of Minnesota
  • Fulbright Program
  • EastBanc Technologies
  • Dickinson College
  • Society for American Archaeology
  • Hershey Story Museum
  • Wagman Construction Inc
  • P2 Energy Solutions

Graduate Schools

  • Boston University
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Temple University
  • University of Florida
  • Florida State University
  • George Washington University
  • University of North Carolina
  • Duke University
  • Ohio State University
  • Trinity College
  • Columbia University
  • University College London
  • Durham University
  • University of Bradford
  • University of Sheffield
  • University of Liverpool
  • American University in Cairo
  • UCL at Qatar
Where Our Students Have Interned
  • Breakthrough Miami
  • National Forest Service
  • Philadelphia Zoo
  • U.S. Army War College - Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute
  • Atlanta History Center
  • Dickinson College / Trout Gallery
  • New American Pathways
  • Philadelphia Zoo

Student Perspective

“Since I graduated from Dickinson in 2011, I've worked on academic excavations in the summer and as a freelance cultural resource manager contractor for the rest of the year. I took a brief hiatus from the latter to attend grad school at University College London's campus in Qatar to study preservation of archaeology in areas of conflict. My current job is as an international archaeology consultant to the Afghan government's Ministry of Information and Cultural and the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum”

- Erik DeMarche ’11


Archaeology News

All News Department News
Dickinson College to Host Virtual Discussion Challenging Technological Narratives in Agricultural Success

Dickinson College to Host Virtual Discussion Challenging Technological Narratives in Agricultural Success

Glenn Stone, an anthropologist and expert on the politics and ecology of food and agriculture will deliver a virtual talk aimed at unraveling myths.

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Student Snapshot: Abbie Cottle ’20

Student Snapshot: Abbie Cottle ’20

Archaeology and religion double major Abbie Cottle ’20 discusses the joys of the Keck Archaeology Lab, the overseas trip that inspired her majors, her experiences curating a Trout exhibition and more.

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Internship Spotlight: Calvin Bader

Internship Spotlight: Calvin Bader '20, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Calvin Bader '20 works with hundreds of artifacts a day as a research assistant/intern at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

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Archaeology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2019

Archaeology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2019

Graduating seniors secure jobs in education and politics and are accepted to graduate programs at University of the Peloponnese and NYU.

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Digging Beneath the Surface

Digging Beneath the Surface

Meet Marc Morris ’19 (archaeology), a transfer student and Fulbright Award-winner who’s interned and worked on two continents.

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An Unexpected Path

An Unexpected Path

The ability to take a wide range of classes at Dickinson has led Sam Arnold ’21 to explore opportunities he never imagined, including organic farming in Italy and underwater archaeology.

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