Archaeologists study past and contemporary human cultures, across a variety of spatial and temporal scales, through the material left behind. Our objects of study encompass artifacts (e.g. tools and other objects modified or created by humans), features (e.g. architectural remains, hearths, artistic depictions), ecofacts (e.g. plant, animal and human remains, as well as sediments), archaeological sites and their associated landscape settings.
In the Department of Archaeology, our students engage in practical training and experiential learning in classroom, laboratory and fieldwork settings that provide a comprehensive education and transferable skills. We have begun to develop and expand our distance learning options through the development of online courses and remote teaching offerings that allow students from all over the world and different walks of life to join and learn with us and discover different aspects of archaeology. State of the art laboratories specializing in applied archaeological sciences, environmental archaeology, archaeological conservation, and artifact analysis integrate students into community-university research initiatives from Northern Labrador to French Guiana and from Alaska to Northwest Europe.
As one of the largest Archaeology departments in the country, we train our students to become effective researchers, critical thinkers, and active stewards for our shared archaeological heritage.
News
The Department of Archaeology is hosting a 2-day international symposium, where scholars from around the world will explore archaeological perspectives on longhouses in a wide range of research contexts, including the Canadian Arctic, Upper Mississippi, Pacific Northwest, and Central Europe.
Dates/Times:
- Thursday, September 26, 2024: 10 am - 3:30 pm
- Friday, September 27, 2024: 10:30 am - 4 pm
Location:
- Room 2013, Queen's College, Memorial University
Schedule:
For more information, please contact Dr. Lisa Rankin (lrankin@mun.ca) or Dr. Peter Ramsden (ramsden@mcmaster.ca).
Recent PhD graduate from the Department of Archaeology, Dr. Rita Onah, has a new book chapter. Dr. Onah's chapter is Chapter 31, titled: "Being 'Indigenous' Is Weird" in Working as Indigenous Archaeologists (2024; George Nicholas & Joe Watkins, Editors).
Check it out on the Taylor & Francis Group (Publisher) website.
Congratulations, Dr. Onah!
There is a new course being offered for the Fall 2024 semester: ARCH 3684 - Cultural Heritage in Conflict and Crisis. This course is being taught by Dr. Shannon Lewis-Simpson (in-person) in slot 12 (12:30-1:45pm, Monday and Wednesday, QC2013).
ARCH 3684 - Cultural Heritage in Conflict and Crisis: introduces how cultural heritage is affected by conflict and crisis. We will discuss the concept of cultural heritage protection and its practice by heritage actors such as UNESCO, the Blue Shield, ICCROM, and military professionals. The course will also consider the weaponization of cultural heritage and heritage narratives, and how this contributes to further insecurity. Students will understand how cultural heritage management can both contribute to and mitigate insecurity in conflict and crisis.
Students are able to register for this new offering using MUN Self-Serve, where this course will be listed as "ARCH 3684: Studies in Archaeology and Prehistory."
