Study Details: MA 1 year full-time,
2 years part-time,
3 years part-time
Past societies responded to and treated their dead in a range of diverse ways, providing archaeologists with crucial insights into their workings.
Funerary archaeology combines analysis of human remains with their archaeological context to take a truly interdisciplinary approach to studying both life and death in the past.
Our course will enable you to use the latest techniques and equipment to build key, practical knowledge and explore the varied archaeological and methodological approaches to funerary archaeology. You’ll have the chance to develop your skills in a range of different methods and techniques, but all centred on learning how to investigate death and burial in the past.
The flexible nature of the course enables you to pursue your own particular period or methodological interests by selecting modules that appeal to your research interests. You’ll work alongside internationally renowned specialists and gain ‘hands on’ experience of the analysis of human remains. You’ll get the chance to learn through field trips to local museums and relevant sites, such as the prehistoric monuments in the Yorkshire Wolds.
This interdisciplinary course is also available as an MSc Funerary Archaeology.
2:2 or equivalent in Archaeology, Anthropology or a relevant subject.
Mature students or those with less conventional qualifications but with relevant professional experience and enthusiasm for this field will be considered. To find out if your professional experience or qualifications are appropriate, please contact the Course Director.
For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more
This interdisciplinary course is also available as an MSc Funerary Archaeology.
This course will prepare you for roles in a range of sectors, including heritage, commercial archaeology, film/television, journalism and academia. You’ll also develop transferable skills that are applicable to a multitude of careers beyond archaeology and heritage.
Core modules
Debates in Funerary Archaeology
The Archaeology of the Human Skeleton
Option modules
You will choose three option modules from examples including:
Digital Creativity
Prehistoric Art: Origins and Transitions
Thinking through Material Culture
Any period specific module
You'll also have the opportunity to choose options from our full module catalogue:
Ancient Biomolecules
Animal bones for Archaeologists
Archaeologies of Colonialism in the British Atlantic World
Artefacts and Materials Analysis
Becoming Human
Building Conservation Projects
Buildings Recording
Contemporary Issues in Museums
Critical Approaches to Archaeological Practice
Data Science for Archaeology
Digital Approaches to Archaeology
Experimental Archaeology
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Heritage Principles and Concepts
Histories of Conservation
Landscape Survey and Geophysics
Life and Death in Iron Age Britain and Ireland
Making the Nation
Medieval Settlement and Communities
Mesolithic Life and Death
Museums, Audiences & Interpretation
Presenting Historic Houses
Professional Practice: Zooarchaeology or Human Osteology
Project Management
Researching & Analysing Historic Buildings
Roman Archaeology: Ancient pasts, current issues
Roman Europe
Skeletal Evidence for Health in the Past
Sustainable Buildings
Sustainable Conservation Challenges
Sustainability I
Sustainability II
The Ancient Celts: Archaeology and Identity in Iron Age Europe
The Archaeology of Roman Religion
The Viking Age: People, Places, Things
Understanding & Interpreting Historic Buildings
Virtual Reality and 3D Modelling
Zooarchaeology in Context
Some option modules combinations may not be possible. The option available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
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