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Explore your passion for ancient history, culture, language and civilisations with our exciting major in Archaeology. Studied as part of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation), you can select from a wide range of units studying the people, cultures, and heritage of Indigenous Australia and the Ancient World.
This major is unique. It is Australia’s only academic program spanning Australian Indigenous and Ancient World cultures, with a distinctive focus on the Ancient Near East, including the Israelites, Canaanites, Philistines, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and Romans. During the major, you will:
By studying archaeology, you'll develop the skills to become an archaeologist or pursue a career in higher education (in archaeology and history), heritage, museum studies, cultural management, teaching, consulting, research, and government.
You will also gain access to a range of careers that benefit from analytical skills and critical thinking – such as journalism, community development, public relations, professional writing, and more.
And while this major is primarily offered through the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation), archaeology is interdisciplinary. This means you will also have the opportunity to choose it as a major or minor within a range of other single and double degrees offered at ACU, such as theology, global studies, business, law, and education (availability of the major will vary across campuses).
There are a number of scholarships on offer to support travel to Rome and Jerusalem as part of the major in archaeology through the university and the generous support of donors.*
Channel your inner Lara Croft or Indiana Jones and join the quest to uncover the secrets of the past. In this three-week intensive learning experience, you will be joining a unique archaeological excavation jointly directed by ACU in partnership with international experts.
Archaeological field schools are offered annually in Israel (subject to geopoliticial safety), where you will get to excavate one of the most famous sites from Ancient Israel, and in Rome, where you will study the everyday life of the Ancient Romans.
The archaeology major provides core instruction on archaeological evidence and theory combined with opportunities for hands-on experience in the field.
You will learn about ancient peoples in the Near East from earliest habitation through interactions of the ancient Israelites with the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Canaanites, Philistines, Persians, Greeks and Romans.
Along the way, you can choose to study related units in history, languages and science depending on your personal interest. Top achieving students can undertake a personalised special research project supervised by the program director and complete an honours year.
Professor Gil Davis has had long experience organising and directing the study of archaeology and field trips to Israel. He is passionate about engaging students and getting them to enjoy their studies and make the most of their opportunities. Professor Davis has a range of research interests spanning Ancient Greek and Near Eastern history, numismatics (coins) and archaeometallurgy.
ACU has a strong team of scholars who pool their talents and expertise into teaching the archaeology major.
To study archaeology, you will apply for your choice of bachelor’s degree, such as the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation), and then choose your major when you enrol at ACU. Applications are made through your local TAC (QTAC, UAC or VTAC).
* Some scholarships are competitive and subject to you being accepted to go on a trip.
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