MSc Geoarchaeology

• Bursaries
• Internships
• Career opportunities
• International scope

Course overview

Geoarchaeology combines the disciplines of earth sciences and archaeology in the study of how people interacted with the environment and its geological resources in the past.

The MSc in Geoarchaeology provides a thorough grounding in the principles and methods of earth sciences with reference to their application in archaeology and palaeo-environmental studies. This course will equip you with the practical field and laboratory skills, and the critical, writing and presentational skills, for future independent work in the field of professional geoarchaeology or doctoral research. 

Topics covered include:

• Geology and Sedimentology
• Micromorphology
• Pedology
• Geochemistry
• Stable and Radiogenic Isotope analysis
• Geochronology, including tephrochronology
• Analysis of biological remains, including pollen, plant macrofossils, Mollusca, animal bone, human bone and testate amoebae
• Field investigations (archaeological and geological sites)
• Materials science

Download the MSc Geoarchaeology brochure (PDF 1.1MB)

Our staff have a wide range of research experience and expertise to pass on. Read about the MSc Geoarchaeology teaching staff

International Scope

The MSc Geoarchaeology staff carry out research in Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean, Western Asia and South America. This extensive experience forms the basis of our masters level field and laboratory teaching, which prepares students for a career in commercial or academic archaeological research throughout the world.

Career opportunities

The MSc Geoarchaeology enables those with training in environmental science or geoscience to move into archaeology, and those with training in the scientific aspects of archaeology to develop their knowledge of geoscience. This interdisciplinary training prepares MSc graduates for a wide range of careers in archaeological units and consultancies, heritage organisations, environmental consultancies, local authorities, and research laboratories and organisations. The MSc also provides an excellent training for research at doctoral level.

Internship with Quaternary Scientific (QUEST)

Quaternary Scientific (QUEST) is a business based in the School of Human and Environmental Sciences (SHES). It provides archaeological, forensic and environmental scientific services to industry, as well as providing support for teaching and research in the School. Read more about QUEST..

In 2011, QUEST created a Masters Graduate Internship (1 year). One internship will be available each year for a student graduating from a taught postgraduate programme run by the School of Human and Environmental Sciences (SHES).

Further details are available from Dr Nick Branch (Director of QUEST and MSc Geoarchaeology Programme Director).

Bursaries

School, research and enterprise bursaries are available. Contact Dr Nick Branch for further details.