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College of Humanities and Social Sciences 
Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Archaeology

A Specialization of NC State's M.A. in Anthropology Program

Overview

Archaeologists study past cultures through their material remains—from everyday objects to human remains to landscapes. Our archaeology graduate students develop a program of study based on holistic training in anthropology and interdisciplinary scholarship. We provide dedicated laboratory space for archaeological research and materials analysis.

Graduate students may choose to construct a research project on a subject of their own choice in consultation with their advisor or to gain training and expertise in the following areas of study.

Interest form 

Areas of Study

Inequality, Communities and Political Economy

  • Understand the fundamentals of human social organization and social inequality past and present.
  • Research the material evidence of social, political, and economic organization and change using archaeological methods.
  • Develop a framework for critically assessing the theories, methods, and data that archaeologists apply to the topics of political organization and social inequality in historic and prehistoric contexts.
  • Faculty who work in this area include: Case, Grossman, McGill, Millhauser, and Wesp

Archaeology

  • Understand the legal, ethical and practical aspects of the management of archaeological resources. 
  • Study relationships between cultural and natural heritage and the social and political processes involved in conservation and preservation.
  • Build partnerships with community groups focused on cultural heritage and preservation. 
  • Develop professional experience and critical skills related to cultural resource management and public outreach. 
  • Faculty who work in this area include: Grossman, McGill, and Millhauser

Collections and Cultural Resource Management

  • Study the policies and practices of cultural resource management as it pertains to the investigation of archaeological resources.
  • Design and implement collections management policies and plans.
  • Develop professional experiences and skills related to cultural resources management and collections management.
  • Faculty who work in this area include: McGill and Millhauser

Faculty