Archaeology: Archaeology of the Near East

Introduction

Programme
The programme focuses on the Archaeology of the Near East, from ancient history to the early Middle Ages. The Near East has huge cultural historical significance in the ancient world. It was here that numerous crucial developments took place, such as the transition to agriculture, the domestication of plants and animals and the creation of permanent settlements, the development of metallurgy and international trade and the construction of towns and complex states. These developments are vitally important and are studied in detail during this programme.

In the specialist programme Archaeology of the Near East, you learn to build a bridge between these kinds of developments and the concrete data with which archaeologists work. During the study, you obtain insight into and experience with the whole range of archaeology practices, from exploration methods (how data is obtained) to how this data is used in archaeology (how theories and hypotheses are developed or disproved).

Fieldwork
Fieldwork forms an essential part of this Bachelor specialisation. In a practical sense, it is about gaining fieldwork experience, learning to work with archaeological structures and working on site in the context of modern societies.
Furthermore, the academic process is central when performing fieldwork: gathering primary archaeological data and how these data are part of academic research.

Further studies
A Bachelor in Archaeology specialising in the Near East provides knowledge of the archaeology of this region, and both practical and academic skills. The Bachelor specialisation Archaeology of the Near East forms the logical preparation for the Master specialisation Archaeology of the Near East, but can also provide the basis for a different Master specialisation.

Bachelor year 2

Bachelor year 2 with the specialisation Archaeology of the Near East consists of the following options:

A. Compulsory courses (25 ects)

B. Choose two of these BA2 profiles:

• World archaeology (15 ects)

• Archaeology of Europe (15 ects)

• Archaeological sciences (15 ects)

C. Choose a specialist course (5 ects) ór a broadening course (5 ects). The latter consists of a course of your choice from the remaining BA2 profile that has not been chosen.
The specialist courses are from the BA3 programme, and alternate each year so you will not follow the same course in the BA3.
This year the specialisation Archaeology of the Near East is offering the specialist course Rituals and religions.

Bachelor year 3

Bachelor year 3 with the specialisation Archaeology of the Near East consists of:

A. Compulsory courses (30 ects)

B. Three specialisation courses (15 ects)

For the remaining 15 ects, choose either of these options:

• a second Archaeology specialisation

• half a minor (Dutch or English)

The other Archaeology specialisations are:

• Archaeology of Europe

• Archaeology of the Americas

• Archaeology of the Classical World

• Bioarchaeology