Archaeology

Our Archaeology MPhil and PhD programmes are research degrees. They are conducted as supervised independent study and are assessed through a single written document that is supported with a viva voce examination.

Both degrees involve the production of new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship, exploring a field of academic study in detail. This involves detailed understanding of the methods, techniques and approaches needed to produce such knowledge, and the wider context of the subject of study.

Our PhD students produce a thesis which includes material worthy of academic publication. A PhD qualification is usually necessary for an academic career involving post-doctoral research and/or lecturing.

This is a perfect programme to advance your academic career in archaeology. You will also develop employability skills including:
project management
report writing
problem-solving
independent working
research

These programmes are based in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology. They cover a wide range of specialisms.

Research supervision in a range of periods, regions and themes.

Research supervision is available in the following periods and regions:
World prehistory from the Palaeolithic to the Iron Age
Archaeology of the Greek world including Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations
Archaeology of the Roman world from the Republic to Late Antiquity
Roman frontier studies
Byzantine and Islamic archaeology
Medieval archaeology, 500-1500 CE
Historical archaeology of the modern world
Archaeology of Europe, North America, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia and Africa

Thematic research is also strong at Newcastle and research supervision is available in the following areas of enquiry:
Archaeological theory and history of archaeology
Archaeology of art, religion and ritual
Archaeology of buildings and the built environment
Bodies, burial and identity
Colonialism and slavery
Conflict archaeology from prehistory to the 21st century
Environmental and geoarchaeology: plants, animals and sediments
Experimental archaeology and past technologies
Foodways, pastoralism and upland archaeology
Human-animal relationships from the Palaeolithic to present day
Landscape archaeology, GIS, remote sensing and survey methods
Landscape heritage, management and sustainability
Material culture and artefact analysis: ceramics, lithics, metals, glass and coins
Museum collections and historic archives
Social organisation and social complexity
Zooarchaeology and animal bone pathology

We encourage you to contact a prospective supervisor to discuss your research proposals prior to applying for a research degree.

Our Archaeology staff will supervise you. You can also view our archaeology postgraduate research projects and the profiles of our current archaeology postgraduate research students.

Inter-disciplinary research is supported. Research projects can be co-supervised by staff from other subject areas, such as history, ancient history, classics, or fine art.