Overview

Everyday objects and written texts together reveal how people lived, believed and identified themselves across the centuries, offering a genuinely rich way to understand the emergence of the modern world. The BA (Hons) Historical Archaeology at the University of York explores this relationship between material culture and text, spanning the end of the Middle Ages through to the twenty-first century. Students gain hands-on experience through an excavation built into the first year, along with training in the practicalities and legal requirements of coordinating heritage projects, turning physical discoveries and archival evidence into compelling historical narratives. The course suits students drawn to both history and material culture, combining archaeological method with documentary research and CIfA accreditation supporting a route into the wider heritage sector.

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What You'll Learn

• Human history from prehistory to the present, alongside artefacts, materials and archaeological theory

• Core scientific methods and techniques used in archaeological investigation

• Hands-on excavation experience, taught during the academic year in the first year of the course

• The relationship between material culture and written texts in historically documented periods

• Specialist practical skills such as buildings history, object conservation, or computational archaeology

• The legal and practical requirements of coordinating heritage projects

• Advanced final-year topics such as the archaeology of British Christianity or the Age of the Victorians

• An independent 8,000-word dissertation on a topic of your own choosing

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically engage with current debates in archaeological scholarship relating to historically documented periods, drawing on evidence from the UK and beyond. They will be equipped to design, execute and evaluate archaeological and historical research projects, applying key theoretical, legal and professional principles within an international context. Through hands-on excavation and documentary analysis, students will develop strong skills in generating, documenting and interpreting primary evidence using a range of digital technologies. Graduates will leave with a CIfA-accredited qualification and the confidence to turn physical and archival evidence into compelling historical narratives, well prepared for careers spanning heritage organisations, museums, local government and beyond.