History and Archaeology MA (Hons)

The history and archaeology degree combines specialist studies in history with the distinctive insights and methodologies of archaeology.<br/><br/>Edinburgh has a strong tradition in these subjects, and excellent printed and material collections to support intensive study in both disciplines.<br/><br/><strong>History</strong><br/><br/>We offer an exceptionally wide range of history courses, covering:<br/><br/><br/>* historical periods from the early Middle Ages to the contemporary world<br/><br/><br/>* geographical regions, including:<br/><br/><br/>* Britain and Europe<br/><br/><br/>* Asia<br/><br/><br/>* Africa<br/><br/><br/>* the Americas<br/><br/><br/>Our history courses also cover a wide variety of approaches to the past, including:<br/><br/><br/>* political history<br/><br/><br/>* cultural history<br/><br/><br/>* social history<br/><br/><br/>* economic history<br/><br/><br/>* intellectual history<br/><br/><br/>* gender history<br/><br/><br/>* global and transnational history<br/><br/><br/><strong>Archaeology</strong><br/><br/>Archaeology investigates the human past using material remains such as artefacts and excavated sites to reconstruct the economic, social and cultural life of early societies.<br/><br/>At Edinburgh, we have a rich tradition of archaeological teaching and research, specialising in:<br/><br/><br/>* European prehistory<br/><br/><br/>* the early civilisations of the Mediterranean<br/><br/><br/>* the Near East and Egypt<br/><br/><br/>You will be introduced to standard and innovative archaeological techniques and the practice and theory of archaeology. This will include:<br/><br/><br/>* the study of science-based archaeology<br/><br/><br/>* the study of animal and human bones<br/><br/><br/>* digital applications<br/><br/><br/><strong>Practical skills</strong><br/>We emphasise the importance of training in practical archaeological skills.<br/><br/>You will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in artefact identification and analysis in practical sessions using artefacts from our own Vere Gordon Childe collection.<br/><br/><strong>Fieldwork</strong><br/><br/>You will complete three weeks of archaeological fieldwork at the end of Year 1. In later years of study, you will also have the option to do:<br/><br/><br/>* further fieldwork<br/><br/><br/>* projects in heritage management and public engagement<br/><br/><br/>* lab-based analysis of archaeological remains<br/><br/><br/><strong>Programme benefits</strong><br/><br/><br/>* Study in one of the UK’s largest and most international history departments, joining a vibrant culture of inquiry and debate led by our dedicated staff.<br/><br/><br/>* Discover current thinking on some of the best known and most spectacular archaeological sites.<br/><br/><br/>* Receive an introduction to the tools and skills archaeologists use to reconstruct the past.<br/><br/><br/>* Gain hands-on experience of artefact identification and analysis.<br/>