Archaeology and Anthropology

UCAS code: LVQ4

Here's what University of Wales Trinity Saint David says about its Archaeology and Anthropology course.

This joint-honours programme offers a dynamic and engaging way to explore the human past and present, giving you the opportunity to study two fascinating disciplines that help us understand how people have lived, thought, and interacted throughout history and across different cultures.

You will be guided by experts in both fields and gain practical skills through hands-on experiences, fieldwork, and the use of modern technologies.

The degree is structured to be flexible, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests. You will choose from a variety of modules in both Archaeology and Anthropology, which means you can focus on areas that excite you the most.

Archaeology

In Archaeology, you will learn to uncover and interpret the material remains left behind by past societies, including artefacts such as pottery, tools, and bones. By studying these objects, you will piece together the stories of how ancient people lived, what their societies looked like, and how they interacted with their environments. You will also examine larger features like historic buildings, monuments, and landscapes, which tell us about human development and the changing world over time. In addition, you will explore theoretical and ethical questions about the past, such as the significance of heritage, the use of digital tools, and the ways in which new technologies allow us to analyse ancient DNA and other materials.

Anthropology

The Anthropology part of the degree takes you deeper into understanding human diversity. You will explore the cultural practices, beliefs, and ways of life of people around the world, examining how societies have evolved over time. The programme looks at contemporary global challenges, such as the effects of globalisation, and encourages you to think critically about cultural identities and human behaviour. By combining theoretical insights with real-world case studies, Anthropology gives you the tools to understand the complexities of human existence and the different ways societies shape our lives today.

By the end of the programme, you will have gained a deep understanding of human history, both from the archaeological perspective of material remains and the anthropological study of culture and society.

You will develop key skills, including analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, that are essential for success in many professional careers. The ability to understand complex debates and make clear, well-reasoned arguments will be valuable both during your studies and in your future career.

This course will equip you to work in various fields, such as museums, heritage management, research, and international development, as well as pursue further study in archaeology, anthropology, or related areas. It offers you a unique opportunity to explore the rich diversity of human life, both in the past and present, and prepare for a future that can take you in many exciting directions.

In your first year, you will gain a solid foundation in Anthropology and Archaeology. Core modules such as Exploring the Humanities, Anthropology Today, and People’s Worlds: Interaction with the Environment will introduce you to key concepts in both fields. You will also have the opportunity to explore subjects like Hieroglyphs, Death, Burial and the Afterlife, and Doing Archaeology: The Past in Practice, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests and begin applying theory to practice. Exploring the Humanities (20 credits) Anthropology Today (20 credits) People's Worlds: Interaction with the Environment (20 credits) Optional Hieroglyphs 1 (20 credits) Into the Field (20 credits) What makes civilisation? (20 credits) Death, Burial and the Afterlife (20 credits) From Egypt to the Near East: phenomena of the Mediterranean (20 credits) Myths and Mythology: How Stories Shape the World (20 credits) Doing Archaeology: The Past in Practice (20 credits) Introduction to Archaeology (20 credits) An Introduction to Ethics (20 credits) Exploring the Study of Religion and Theology (20 credits ) In the second year, you will build on the knowledge gained in Year 1, with a focus on advanced archaeological methods and cultural anthropology. Modules such as The Archaeology of Early Societies and Anthropology of Globalisation will deepen your understanding of human societies and their evolution. You will also engage with topics such as material culture, ethnography, and fieldwork techniques, preparing you for independent research and field-based learning. Ancestors, Death and Burial (20 credits) Animals in Archaeology (20 credits) Difficult Heritage/ Dark Tourism (20 credits) Art and Ancient Egypt 4000BC to the 2020ies: Exhibiting artistic representations (20 credits) Excavation and Fieldwork (20 credits) Ancient Lives in Death (20 credits) Entanglements: Exploring Interactions between the Aegean and the Near East (20 credits) Hieroglyphs 1 (20 credits) Thinking With Things (20 credits) (Re)presenting and (Re)constructing the Past (20 credits) Households in the ancient world (20 credits) Museums, Heritage and Representation (20 credits) Professional Placement (20 credits) Hieroglyphs 2 (20 credits) Activism, Protest and Campaigning for Global Justice (20 credits) Family, Gender and Sexuality (20 credits) Free-Market Environmentalism, Big Business and Global Politics (20 credits) Materialities in Anthropology (20 credits) International Mobility Opportunity (60 Credits) Philosophy of Mind: Humans, Animals and Machines (20 credits) Religions in Africa (20 credits) Approaches to Economic Relations (20 credits) Living in Multi-Cultural Worlds Global Genocides (20 credits) In your final year, you will focus on specialised topics in both archaeology and anthropology, allowing you to research independently and refine your academic skills. Core modules such as Theories in Anthropology and The Archaeology of Modernity will challenge you to apply critical thinking to contemporary issues and developments in both fields. You will also complete an Independent Project based on your research, which will enable you to demonstrate the skills you have developed throughout the course. Independent Project (40 credits) Optional Hieroglyphs 1 (20 credits) Ancestors, Death and Burial (20 credits) Animals in Archaeology (20 credits) Excavation and Fieldwork (20 credits) (Re)presenting and (Re)constructing the Past (20 credits) Difficult Heritage/ Dark Tourism (20 credits) Ancient Lives in Death (20 credits) Entanglements: Exploring Interactions between the Aegean and the Near East (20 credits) Households in the ancient world (20 credits) Exhibiting the Past: Ancient Egypt, death and modern representation (20 credits) Art and Ancient Egypt 4000BC to the 2020ies: Exhibiting artistic representations (20 credits) Hieroglyphs 2 (20 credits) Activism, Protest and Campaigning for Global Justice (20 credits) Family, Gender and Sexuality (20 credits)

The programme is assessed in a variety of ways and will include several of the following type of assessment: essays of 1,000 to 4,000 words in length, document analysis, book/ journal reviews, short reports and reflective journals, time tests, seen and unseen tests, field journals, posters, group and individual presentations, dissertations of 10,000 words, wikis, commentaries and film evaluations.