BA Archaeology and Anthropology

The BA in Archaeology and Anthropology places a premium on the ability to integrate different forms of evidence in terms of a set of biological, cultural and social principles.

This combines a local understanding of the complexities of individual human groups with a comprehension of their wider setting in time and space. The course has been designed to maintain a balance between these two objectives: a broad interpretative perspective and a detailed command of how particular societies work and how they use their material environment.

Its temporal scope extends from human origins in the Palaeolithic period down to modern society, and its geographical scope includes communities across the entire globe. Within this broad span, it offers multiple complementary perspectives on human diversity that include the biological study of the human species and the cultural interpretation of social and material life in its historical and comparative aspects.

The detailed understanding of a diverse range of ancient societies and more recent overseas communities offers a unique intellectual experience which is of direct relevance to understanding important aspects of the contemporary world.

Their study involves a wide variety of complementary disciplines. From genetics and chronological dating to the study of social structures and the interpretation of many forms of artistic creativity,  the comparative approach adopted in this course emphasises the common principles underlying regional and temporal manifestations.  

Extraordinary access to museums and collections. As well as artefact handling sessions in local museums and archives, students study scientific techniques and methods in the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art. 

Outstanding library resources. In addition to their college libraries, students can access the Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World, Balfour and Tylor libraries for collections specific to archaeology, anthropology, classics and the ancient world. 

College life. Oxford's beautiful colleges provide accommodation for at least two years (usually three) of the course and act as a social hub with limitless extra-curricular opportunities.

Specialist training in small groups. Oxford's tutorial system draws on a wealth of research and expertise from academics conducting pioneering research at the frontiers of academic scholarship.