Archaeology and Anthropology

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Archaeology and AnthropologyAre you fascinated by human nature? Do ancient sites and monuments hold a special fascination, or are you captivated by artefacts and material culture from societies long-gone? If so, then a degree in Archaeology, Archaeology and Anthropology, or Ancient History and Archaeology could offer a unique and absorbing route into many professional careers.

Archaeology is the study of past societies through their material remains and environmental context; including artefacts, buildings, burials and landscapes. Archaeology is not restricted in time and space, ranging from human origins to the present day, on a local, regional or even global scale. Methods of data collection and analysis include excavation, survey and artefact studies, utilising a range of scientific and theoretical approaches.

Anthropology is the study of contemporary human societies. Social anthropology examines the structure of societies, their social relationships, beliefs, identities, development, relations with nature and other cultures. Biological anthropology is the study of human beings as a species, and includes hominid and primate evolution, primate behaviour, population genetics, demography and forensic anthropology; again utilising numerous scientific and theoretical approaches.

Why study Archaeology and Anthropology at Bristol?At Bristol we are proud to offer, uniquely in Britain, the three fields of Archaeology, Social Anthropology and Biological Anthropology within a single academic department.

The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology is located in the heart of the University precinct, and has its own lecture theatres, seminar rooms, laboratories, computer rooms, stores, offices, and even a fleet of Land Rovers!

Staff members are leading experts in their fields, and you will have the opportunity to learn from their first-hand knowledge and experience, and to participate in their research projects. Currently members of staff are directing fieldwork and research projects in Britain, Central Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, Central and East Africa, India, and Lower Central America. Research areas include: Early Human Origins; Bioarchaeology; European Prehistory; Mediterranean Archaeology; Landscape Archaeology; Historical Archaeology; Conflict Archaeology; Diasporic Communities; Ethnicity, Stereotypes and Identities; Religion and Kinship; Anthropology of the Balkans and Anatolia; Scientific Archaeology; Evolution of Human Behaviour.

Undergraduate


What will I study?The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology offers four full-time undergraduate degree programmes. Each one introduces you to the practice, theory and history of your chosen discipline, and aims to equip you with the ability to handle complex data sets and concepts, and to interpret material and literary evidence with lucidity.

Each programme structure is modular. There are core units each year that comprise both theory and practice, which are combined with optional units in more specialised periods and regions. You write a dissertation on an original topic in your final year.

Single Honours programmes BA Archaeology, three years V400This programme is designed to provide a balanced introduction to archaeology from both practical and theoretical perspectives. Over three years, you will learn the basic skills involved in fieldwork and artefact analysis as well as the archaeology of specific places and periods.

BA Archaeology and Anthropology, three years VL46This programme consists of three components, Archaeology, Biological Anthropology and Social Anthropology. Social anthropology focuses upon the study of human beings in society, drawing on ethnographic studies of societies and cultures from around the world. Biological anthropology includes the study of human evolution, primates and medical anthropology. Archaeology combines practical field skills with theoretical and regional knowledge and gives a time depth in which to place the diversity of human societies.

BSc Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, three years VL4PMSci Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, four years VL4QThese programmes capitalise upon an integrated view of humanities-based and scientifically-based archaeology, and builds upon a sound quantitative and bio-physico-chemical understanding of the scientific principles underlying archaeological and geological processes. They cover archaeology, bioarchaeology, environmental geoscience and geoarchaeology, as well as archaeological methods and field skills. In your fourth year – available only to those on the MSci programme – you will undertake additional fieldwork, a major research project, and Masters-level scientific and archaeological units.

Joint Honours programmes BA Ancient History and Archaeology, three years VV14This programme builds upon the natural synergy between ancient history and the archaeology of the Greco-Roman world, and includes study of the history and archaeology of the Mediterranean between the Bronze Age and Late Antiquity; analysis and interpretation of different kinds of historical and archaeological evidence; theoretical approaches to ancient history and archaeology, and independent fieldwork and research.

Teaching methodsContact time is primarily during lectures and practical sessions (eg artefact handling, lab work, etc). Discussion groups and tutorial sessions may be held on a weekly basis for individual units, and field trips and outings are a regular component of the curriculum.

AssessmentA variety of assessment methods are used, including essays, exams, class tests, notebooks, poster presentations, and oral presentations.

DissertationEach BA programme involves a dissertation of 12,000 words on an original topic as part of the year three requirements. For Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, a 15,000-word dissertation or equivalent research project is required in year four as part of the MSci.

What support is available?The department prides itself on its friendly and informal atmosphere, and you will find that staff are approachable and helpful. You are encouraged to make constructive comment on programmes, which can be done via your tutor, through completion of online feedback forms, or through the Staff/Student Liaison Committee. You will receive a departmental handbook, which provides all the information you need to smooth your journey through each year. When you first arrive, you will be allocated a personal tutor, who is not only there to guide you through your studies and help you achieve your full potential, but also to help with any personal or work-related problems. As part of our support for students, we try to identify study difficulties as early as possible, and offer as much help and support as we are able.

The departmental website contains useful information on units, programmes, placements, fieldwork etc, whilst Blackboard, our online facility, is where notes for individual units and important announcements are placed.

What’s life like as a student?Within the department, undergraduates, graduates and staff have many opportunities to work and socialise together, through seminars, fieldtrips and fieldwork. There is also the student-organised Archaeology and Anthropology Society, which hosts a lively series of guest lectures every year.

Visits to important sites, monuments and/or collections are included in each programme of study, and the last four weeks of the academic year are devoted to fieldwork; which for archaeology students, has recently included excavation at Avebury, Berkeley Castle and the Bishop’s Palace, Wells, and for anthropology students, qualitative interview methods and analysis in Bristol and environs. This fieldwork gives you the opportunity to put theory into practice, and to experience fieldwork first hand without infringing upon your summer plans (another unique Bristol feature).

Being a student at Bristol not only gives you the opportunity to study at a world-renowned university but also to enjoy interests outside of your studies. The student community is diverse enabling you to make new friends and get involved in a variety of clubs and societies. The Students’ Union provides a supportive and stimulating environment in which you can thrive and offers more than 180 societies and 56 sports clubs. So, whether you enjoy performing, making music, volunteering, campaigning or playing sport, there is bound to be something that appeals to you.

The city of Bristol is also student-friendly and offers fantastic shopping malls and independent stores as well as museums, theatres, cinemas, restaurants and bars all on your doorstep. There is a lively festival and event scene and the beautiful countryside of the West Country, Cotswolds and Wales are within easy reach.


What are my career prospects?Through the study of archaeology and/or anthropology, you will acquire a number of transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include intellectual versatility, excellent written and oral communication skills, skills of critical analysis, independent thought, use of Information Technology, self-directed learning, data handling and interpretation, and the experience of teamworking.

Many of our graduates undertake further research in archaeology, anthropology or related disciplines. A number find employment with local archaeological units, museums and heritage centres, whilst others have moved into publishing and teaching.

The study of a humanities-based subject also tends to result in a broader international outlook and a heightened sense of cultural awareness; valuable traits for any serious employer. Consequently, our graduates have also successfully entered professions in the media industry, management, law, accountancy, advertising, computing, commerce, industry, and the Civil Service.

Is there any advice you can give me on making my application?We look for a committed interest in archaeology, anthropology and their related disciplines. This can be demonstrated through participation in appropriate related fieldwork, such as an archaeological excavation, or by independent travel or appropriate academic reading. Evidence of membership of a relevant society or subscription to a relevant journal or periodical is also advantageous. You are actively encouraged to discuss any relevant experiences, memberships, or subscriptions in the personal statement on your UCAS application.

We are also interested to hear about your extracurricular activities, and general interests, especially where this provides evidence of collaborative engagement with the wider community. Our programmes will require independent work, and so your personal statement and reference should show that you are self-motivated and work hard. For example, do you participate in any extra-curricular activities that require you to organise your time effectively and without supervision? The personal statement should show that you can communicate effectively and write clear and correct English.

Mature students are particularly welcome, as are students from Access, BTEC, HND FdSc or FdA or similar courses, irrespective of specialisation, and applicants with international qualifications. Such applicants may be invited to interview.

Gap yearWe welcome applicants who take a gap year or prefer to wait until they know their examination results before applying. We like to see evidence that you will be spending part of that year engaged in a related activity, such as gaining excavation experience or working in a museum.

Are there any specific scholarships?Grant support for fieldwork and museum visits is available from the Bob Savage Memorial Fund and from the Hancock Prize for MSci in Archaeological and Anthropological Science students.

Top: Face to face with our ancestors; archaeological excavation of human remains encountered during an undergraduate digMiddle: Colossal Statue of Ramses II, Luxor Temple, taken during a study tour Bottom: Undergraduate excavations of an early Anglo-Saxon Mynster at Berkeley, Gloucestershire

Typical offer for BA ArchaeologyPlease visit www.bristol.ac.uk/ug12-archanth for Archaeology and Anthropology, Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, Archaeological Studies and other qualificationsA-levels BBB-BCCAS-levels NoneIB Diploma 32-29 points (6, 6, 5 or 6, 5, 5 at Higher level)Access Pass Access to HE Diploma with at least 33 credits at Merit and/or DistinctionIELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each partGCSE No specific subjects requiredSelection UCAS form; occasionally interviewPart-time study BA Archaeological Studies only, which runs at weekends (visit www.bristol.ac.uk/archanth/continuing for details) as well as a range of short courses (visit www.bristol.ac.uk/archanth/continuing/shortcourses for details)Deferred applications Welcomed

Entry data


Department informationFor more information about the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, please visit:

www.bristol.ac.uk/archanth

Useful contact informationAdmissionsUndergraduate Admissions OfficeTel: +44 (0)117 954 8147Fax: +44 (0)117 925 1424Email: [email protected]

AccommodationAccommodation OfficeTel: +44 (0)117 954 6640www.bristol.ac.uk/accommodation

Access Unit for D/deaf and Disabled StudentsTel: +44 (0)117 331 0444Fax: +44 (0)117 331 0456www.bristol.ac.uk/accessunit

FundingStudent Funding OfficeTel: +44 (0)117 331 7972www.bristol.ac.uk/studentfunding

University guide to the city of Bristolwww.bristol.ac.uk/citybristol

International studentsInternational Advice and SupportTel: +44 (0)117 954 5849www.bristol.ac.uk/international/studentsupport

If you need all or part of this publication in an accessible format (eg in Braille, in larger print or on CD), please contact Widening Participation and Undergraduate Recruitment Tel: +44 (0)117 928 8623 Email: [email protected]

Contacts

Photographic credit: William King, Destination Bristol; other photographs © University of Bristol. The information contained in this leaflet is correct at the time of printing (June 2011). Programmes and facilities are liable to alter or be withdrawn at the University’s discretion.

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Archaeology and Anthropology