Material Studies

This course provides a general overview of the key artefact categories frequently recovered during excavation. You will familiarise yourself with the nature and properties of different materials and will acquire an understanding of different production processes through which artefacts were made.

World Archaeology

The lecture series World Archaeology gives an outline of the deep history of humans and society from our early ancestors to the more complex societies in the world. The role of material culture in society is discussed and shown in many regions and periods. Comparisons between different regions and scales allow us to understand connections between the unique and the global.

Past and Future

This introductory course will provide an overview of the emergence of archaeology as a discipline, and will relate to different aspects of the archaeological practice. Starting with lessons on the human curiosity about the past, we will move through the ages of history of ideas and archaeological thought, ending with the present developments of modern archaeology.

Deep History

In this course we will focus on 3 major transformations in the history of modern humans.
Firstly, the spread of Homo Sapiens across the globe. Secondly, the development and the adoption of agriculture in different regions. Thirdly, the emergence of monuments and the creation of monumental landscapes.

Landscape Studies

Our contemporary landscapes in general have a deep history holding visible and non-visible relics of human activities. The main goal of this course is to learn how to gain knowledge of landscapes through - especially - archaeological research, by integrating a theoretical exploration and a practical implementation.

Bioarchaeology

In this course you will learn how to interpret bioarchaeological data (botanical macro fossils, pollen, animal and human skeletal remains). A number of practical sessions is part of the course. During the practical you will handle pollen analyses, botanical macro fossils, and animal and human skeletal remains.

Theory

In this challenging course we discuss the development and use of archaeological theory. Rather than presenting the development of archaeological thought as linear (and implicitly progressive), we will delve into the pros and cons of different ways of approaching archaeological evidence by reading first-hand literature and practice in different case studies.

Archaeology and Science Communication

Focus on different aspects of interaction between archaeology and the general public. Deepen your understanding of difficulties and opportunities in bridging the supposed gap between them. This course also focuses on your ability to bring across a message to a broader audience.

Internship

The internship offers many possibilities in acquiring skills needed for future employment.
You can choose between developing an advanced level of fieldwork skills or an internship at a museum, archaeological company or any other professional field.

Birth of the Modern World

This course is an introduction to world history from the late Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution. It is a survey course of the main events and concepts in world history that are relevant to the study and practice of Heritage Studies in the present day.
 

A minor is a related, logical package of subjects. A well-chosen  minor allows you to broaden your knowledge, insights and skills and to apply your experiences in your chosen field. Choosing the right minor also gives you the opportunity to prepare for the master's that you want to take after your bachelor's, so that you can increase the likelihood of gaining a place in the master's you would like to follow.

Spending some time abroad is a great opportunity to expand your horizon. You can go abroad in search of specific, specialist knowledge that is not available in Leiden.
On a personal level you will learn many skills that are also useful when verturing onto the job market, whether it's being creative in finding solutions, or learning a foreign language. On the current job market, an international mindset a highly sought-after commodity.

What will it be, England, France, Italy or another exciting place?

More about studying abroad

At the Faculty of Archaeology, internships are mandatory parts of the programme, and can take many forms.

Many internships consist of fieldwork in the Netherlands or abroad, but the options are not limited to excavating. You can also arrange an internship in a museum, a laboratory, agency, or city council, according to your interests, specialisations, and the type of work you would like to do after your studies.

More about Archaeology internships