Archaeology, B.A.

Advisors: John Gruber-Miller

Archaeology is a multi-disciplinary field that emphasizes the interpretation of material remains in order to understand a culture’s history, demographics, religions, economic exchange, political systems, and social values. Archaeologists can specialize in traditionally scientific areas, such as floral and faunal remains and forensic archaeology (biology), the chemical composition of ceramics or preservation of delicate paintings (chemistry), or the petrology and geomorphology of lithics and the ability to survey and map sites (geology). Archaeologists use computer software to record and catalog data and to map, and sometimes reconstruct, ancient sites. Historical archaeologists must be able to read coins, inscriptions, and the preserved writings of a culture (languages). Finally, archaeologists need to be able to understand human interaction (anthropology) suggested by the art and artifacts of a culture (art history). In short, to be a good archaeologist, one needs a broad liberal arts education with emphases in one or more specific areas. Students may develop an individualized major in Archaeology by following the recommendations given below and filing with the Registrar a Contract for an Individualized Major. See Declaration of Degree Candidacy, Majors, and Minors, item 3c. For students intending to attend graduate school in Archaeology, it is also highly recommended to have an additional major or minor in a related discipline (e.g., Anthropology, Art History, Classical Studies, Geology, History, Religion, or Spanish).

Archaeology faculty members: Rhawn Denniston, John Gruber-Miller, Michael Mosier, Christina Penn-Goetsch, Philip Venticinque,