Archaeology

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.

The archaeology curriculum offers a wide spectrum of courses, including Prehistoric Aegean Archaeology, Greek Archaeology, Roman Archaeology, Ancient Greek Sculpture, Greek and Roman Painting, Ancient Greek Architecture, Ancient Greek Religion and Sanctuaries, Egyptian Archaeology, Near Eastern Archaeology, North American Archaeology, South American Archaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Human Osteology, Archaeological Chemistry and The Archaeology of Food and Drink.

The department maintains 35-40 majors annually and more than 250 enrollments in archaeology courses every year. Students 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; field trips to museums in Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C.; and semesters (or more) abroad with an emphasis on archaeology in Greece, England, Ecuador/Argentina and New Zealand.

Our graduates have successfully pursued a variety of careers in and out of archaeology. We currently have students pursuing master’s and Ph.D. degrees at prestigious programs in the U.S. and UK, including the University of Pennsylvania, University of Florida, University of Colorado, Boston University, Brown University, Harvard University, University of Texas–Austin, Durham University and University College London.

"The Interdisciplinary Archaeology Program (IAP) is a remarkable program, notable for its truly interdisciplinary approach to a complex subject. It has broad and positive support from all faculty involved with the program. The students are enthusiastic and energetic ... and their devotion to the discipline made the reviewers jealous of the ability of the program to involve and to energize undergraduates to such a high degree. ...

"The resources available for teaching students in Carlisle, especially the SEF [dig simulator], are extraordinary, and the latter is, to our knowledge, unique. This tool enables students to be conversant with both archaeological methodology and actual technique well in advance of their arrival at excavations in Greece or elsewhere. The IAP is regarded by Dickinson College as a flagship program, visited by prospective students and prospective donors as well as by nearly three-quarters of the members of the Board of Trustees. Dickinson College has every reason to be proud of the IAP ... because the program represents the best of Dickinson and the energies of its faculty and students." (excerpts from the External Reviewers' report, April 2007)

"ΠΑΝΤ' ΕΣΤΙΝ ΕΞΕΥΡΕΙΝ" - "It is possible to discover everything." (Demosthenes)