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Archaeology: MSc Archaeological Science

Master

Please note: All course descriptions for 2025 - 2026 are still provisional and subject to change.

Archaeological Science is an MSc specialisation that delves into the specifics of archaeological methods and techniques. The combination of hands-on field experience and laboratory work offers a challenging and rewarding research environment.

The programme gives you the freedom to choose your own focus based on your own interests. You may study archaeobotany and archaeozoology, or prefer to dive into human osteoarchaeology. Perhaps you'd rather explore material culture, or further develop your skills in digital archaeology. All of these choices can be combined with lectures on specific regions or time periods.

Archaeological Science

Scientific methodology is an important approach in modern archaeology and it is at the heart of archaeological science. Hypotheses, data, theory, experiments, observations, as well as presentation and interpretation, are all key to our understanding of our past.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

General part
Scientific Methodology in Archaeology 5

Career profile
Quantitative Methods in Archaeology 5
Current Issues in Archaeological Science 5
MA/MSc Thesis 20

Choose 1 of the following specialisation courses:
Archaeological Science Specialisation Course: Archaeobotany 5
Archaeological Science Specialisation Course: Archaeozoology 5
Archaeological Science Specialisation Course: Osteoarchaeology 5
Archaeological Science Specialisation Course: Material Culture 5
Archaeological Science Specialisation Course: Computational Archaeology 5

Choose any 2 focus area courses (see 'Focus area courses' tab above) (2 x 5 ec)

Choose 2 elective courses (see 'Electives' tab above) (2 x 5 ec)

Focus area courses

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

General
Hunter-gatherer Archaeology 5
The Archaeology of Hominin Diversity 5

Europe
Archeologie en Erfgoed van Nederland 5
Area Specialisation Course: Europe: Europe first millenium 5
Key Developments in European Prehistory 5

The Near East
Neolithisation in West Asia 5
Area Specialisation Course: West Asia and Eastern Mediterranean 10
The Archaeology of the Assyrian Empire 5

The Mediterranean
Archaeology of the Crusades 5
Crafting the Greek World. Theory and practice 5
Ancient Networks 5

The Americas
Area Specialisation Course: Americas 10

Electives

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Underwater Archaeology and Maritime Landscapes 5
Introduction to Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Archaeology 5
MSc Internship: Archaeological Science 5

or: free choice from the focus area courses.

or: free choice from the courses of the other Archaeology profiles.

or: course outside of the faculty or the university. These need to be MA courses of at least level 400 and need to be officially approved by the Board of Examiners.