Download Archaeology

Archaeology
Bachelor of Arts
Bij ons leer
Discover
thejeworld
de wereld
at Leiden
kennen
University
Prof. dr. Jan Kolen
Vice-Dean Education
Why Archaeology?
‘As the holder of the Education portfolio, I
would like to say a bit about this fantastic
programme. Archaeology is an exciting
discipline, in which you combine very
different skills and fields of knowledge.
You venture out into the world to discover,
study and interpret traces of past societies
in the landscape, but you also work with
both head and hands in the classroom, in
the lab and at your desk, applying academic
theories and analysing archaeological
materials.
You often have interpret with scanty
information, and fill in the gaps by thinking
like an anthropologist, even if you are
Why study
Archaeology in
Leiden?
3
Is this the
programme
for you?
5
reconstructing life in societies that we can
no longer “see”. Where possible, you use
historical sources, like a historian, but you
also explore whether you can use hightech methods from the natural sciences.
Archaeology can therefore always be
found at the interfaces with history and
the social and natural sciences. The field of
Archaeology itself encompasses the deep
and even the deepest history of humans,
human societies and our intervention in
nature.
You study early examples of globalisation
and mass migration, following them over the
centuries. You study examples of growing
social inequality and its effect on different
groups in society. You deliberate over when
humans first began significantly to affect
nature and the long-term consequences of
this – even for the population of today’s
world. You study how different societies
and cultures view their cultural and natural
heritage, and how important this heritage
can be to their identity.
Shine new light on the big issues of today
As an archaeologist you also collect a lot
of valuable information that can shine new
light on the big issues facing society today.
This is what makes archaeology the
programme for people of all ages who wish
to combine a particular fascination with the
past with a broad general interest.’
Read more about:
The structure of the
bachelor’s programme
6
Career
perspectives
What else does
Archaeology have
to offer?
9
10
Contact &
Information Days
11 11
Photography: UFB Photo & Digital, Marc de Haan, Archaeology Leiden, S. Schatz, Jason Bye (page 7).
This brochure has been compiled with the utmost care; nevertheless it is possible that information may have changed and the information in this brochure is
therefore not binding. The most up-to-date information can be found at www.bachelors.leiden.edu/archaeology. August 2016
Why study
Archaeology
in Leiden?
Archaeology in Leiden encompasses the study of societies and cultures from the past, aiming to
reconstruct and revive them, and to make a meaningful contribution to resolving present-day
societal issues, such as migration, globalisation and climate change. Archaeological research
applies methods and techniques from the social, historical and natural sciences.
The future of the past starts in Leiden
The Archaeology programme in Leiden gives
you a solid basis for a national or international
career in archaeology, heritage management,
heritage policy or within the museum world.
The Faculty of Archaeology has quite rightly
earned a place in the top ten archaeology
research and teaching institutes in the world.
Our enthusiastic students and staff form a
dynamic international research community,
which is active all around the world. Our
teaching is strongly linked to our research,
and you not only hear about our research in
the classroom but also participate in it. We
consider it important that during your studies
you are exposed to other cultures, not just
from the past but also from the present. This
prepares you for an increasingly globalised job
market, both in the Netherlands and abroad.
Discover the world
As a student you are part of a special
international community right from the start.
A third of our undergraduates come from
abroad, as do more than half of our staff
members. In your first year, you can therefore
choose whether to follow the programme in
English or in Dutch. From the second year,
the classes are in English, but you can always
take your exams and complete the programme
in Dutch.
We are active in various fields of research
all around the world, from excavations to
heritage management to museums, and from
Europe to the Caribbean. From Leiden you
can take off in all directions and to various
continents to follow your archaeological
interests and further your expertise. In
Archaeology you literally discover the world.
More information
 bachelors.leiden.edu/archaeology
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From the diary of
Astrid van Dort,
first-year student
Discover your talent!
Leiden has the widest choice of research
fields. Nowhere else in the Netherlands
can you choose from so many different
specialisations in archaeology. You can study
humans in the past by researching material
culture in the broadest sense of the word
– from shards to Maya temples, from flint
tools to plant remains – to reconstruct the
environment of the period. We use the most
up-to-date research techniques, including
DNA analysis and 3D modelling of landscapes
and settlements from the past, and we even
use drones to discover new archaeological
sites. Archaeology can also be applied to
contemporary society. The past is an infinite
source of inspiration for individuals and social
groups throughout the world in forming
their identity. You learn about the role played
by heritage and knowledge of the past in
societal developments, such as migration,
globalisation and climate change, as well as in
conflict situations.In Leiden you can discover
your strong points and develop them further!
Discover Leiden research
The teaching at the Faculty is closely linked
to the research of our staff members. As
a student you are involved in this right
from the first year, doing fieldwork with
our lecturers at the end of the first year, for
instance. This could involve working on an
excavation, organising a public event about it
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or working with anthropologists to discover
how communities deal with their heritage.
During the programme, you study material
from our excavations; you learn how to design
archaeological and heritage research and how
to perform excavations and fieldwork. You
may even choose to write your thesis about
this.
Discover the strength of Leiden
Alongside lectures, you attend practicals in
our well-equipped labs. This could involve
learning how to research how prehistorical
objects were used in the lab for use-wear
analysis. You may decide to specialise in
ecology or the study of human or animal
skeletal material, or even in high-tech
computer applications in archaeology.
It is worth noting that three leading Dutch
museums are located in Leiden: the National
Museum of Antiquities, the National Museum
of Ethnology and Naturalis Biodiversity
Center. We work closely with all three. The
museum staff teach on the programme,
and you can do an internship at one of the
museums. We also work with the Centre for
Global Heritage and Development. Through
this organisation you can choose to follow
part of your programme at Delft University of
Technology or Erasmus University Rotterdam,
or to do an internship at an international
archaeology or heritage organisation such as
UNESCO or ICOMOS.
08:00I get up and go to class by bike. I
live in Leiden, just outside the city
centre.
09:15 We follow the course World
Archaeology, which is about the
history of communities throughout
the world. Especially the oriental
cultures I find interesting.
11:15Second course of today: Ecology.
This is about the influence of
ecology; do things like the presence
of poles and oceans or climate
change affect archaeology?
13:00 I have a quick lunch with friends.
13:15In the afternoon I have a very
technical course: Archaeological
Methods and Techniques. It is a very
practical course on how to proceed
in the field.
15:00I go home and then directly to the
University Library. I live nearby
and exams are coming. Together
with fellow students I study for my
courses of tomorrow, then I have
dinner at home with roommates.
20:00I skype a few times a week with
my parents in Malaysia, I am the
first child studying abroad. I tell
them about the lectures I had this
morning.
21:00 With roommates I watch a movie.
23:00Time to go to bed.
Is this the
programme
for you?
Do you want to discover archaeology
in Leiden?
Are you a creative thinker? Can you use the
little information that is available to tell the
full story? Can you link theory and practice?
Do you consider it a challenge to dig deeper
together with researchers and students? And
do you consider it a challenge to spend part
of your degree programme in the field and
in research labs in order to help unravel the
history of humans anywhere in the world? If
you do, the Archaeology programme at Leiden
University is the logical choice!
Do you match the following profile?
wwyou
are practical by nature, but understand
that archaeological research is not possible
without a solid theoretical basis
wwyou are a creative thinker and you are able
to apply this skill to answer challenging
archaeological questions
wwyou are able to combine knowledge of
various disciplines and to apply this in
practice
wwyou are interested in the history of humans
and their environment
wwyou consider it important to be able to
follow your own path in your studies
wwyou are seeking the opportunity to gain
international experience both in terms of
your contacts with students and academic
staff, by doing fieldwork or internships
abroad.
Admission
You will be admitted directly if you are in the
possession of:
wwa Dutch Pre-university education (VWO)
diploma with no further requirements of
your subject cluster
wwan official Bachelor or Master diploma
from a Dutch university or university of
applied sciences
In all other cases, no matter whether you
are a Dutch or an international student, you
have to apply for admission first, before you
can register for the programme. You will be
admitted to the programme:
wwIf your diploma is considered comparable
to a Dutch VWO diploma, and your level
of English proficiency is sufficient too (see
below).
wwIf you have an European Baccalaureate or an
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma,
full programme
wwIf your diploma is an official Bachelor
Propedeuse diploma from a Dutch
university of applied sciences (hogeschool)
with an average level of 7 and a Dutch
Senior/Higher General Secondary Education
(HAVO) diploma with a 7 for English.
wwIf your diploma is not comparable, you
may nevertheless be admitted to the
programme, provided that certain additional
requirements are met, such as good grades
and/or passing entrance exams at VWO
level or equivalent. Your motivation may
also be taken into account. You can check
the online list of international diplomas of
the Admissions Office to see whether your
diploma is sufficient or not.
Language requirements
An English test must have been passed with
the following outcomes:
wwIELTS
(academic module), minimum score
of 6.5;
wwTOEFL 570 (paper-based)/230 (computerbased)/ 90 (internet based);
wwCambridge certificate of Proficiency in
English/Cambridge certificate in Advanced
English (grade A-C).
You are exempted from the English test if your
previous education:
wwwas completed in Canada (exception:
Quebec), the United States, the United
Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand or
Australia;
wwwas an International Baccalaureate (full
programme), assessed in English;
wwis a Dutch VWO diploma;
wwis an official Bachelor Propedeuse diploma
from a Dutch university of applied
sciences, with an average level of 7 and a
Dutch Senior/Higher General Secondary
Education diploma with a 7 for English.
For more information, see
bachelors.leiden.edu/archaeology
Preparing your stay in Leiden
Once you have submitted your application and
have paid the application fee, you will be assigned
to an International Programmes Officer (IPO)
at the Admissions Office, who will guide you
through the admission process. If needed, your
visa and residence permit will be arranged for
you and you can also apply for housing through
the University. Each year the faculty reserves a
limited amount of rooms in the same building
for our first year BA Archaeology students, so
you can choose to live with your fellow students.
Throughout the whole process, you can contact
the faculty’s international student officer, who
is there to assist you with any kind of issues. We
care for your wellbeing!
5
The structure of the
bachelor’s programme
Discover where we come from and the effect of the past on developments today!
Understand the society of today
As an archaeologist you learn about the
history of humans. You also learn how
societies arise and develop and you bring
these societies to life once again. To be
able to do this you need to have knowledge
of cultural traditions, forms of society,
landscapes and climate change. In Leiden
you acquire the skills that you need to find,
analyse and interpret this information. You
learn how to view societies from the past
from various theoretical perspectives. This
knowledge helps you understand society
today. Our bachelor’s programme leads you
through different and changing societies
through the millennia. It provides you with
crucial insights into present discussions
6
on such matters as mass migration and
sustainable societies, thus enabling you to
place cultural changes in a broader, historical
perspective.
The first year
In your first year you will have a lot of
introductory subjects and lectures on the
basic knowledge and general skills that
every archaeologist needs. You will learn
about the development of archaeology as a
science and you will discover precisely what
the most important archaeological concepts
and theories mean. You will get to know
the research areas offered in Leiden. In the
mornings you will study theory and in the
afternoon there will be tutorials or practical
sessions. In all, your studies will take up 40
hours a week. In the first year you will also do
fieldwork. This is when you will learn what
an excavation really involves and you will put
what you learn into practice. You will also
learn more about heritage and archaeological
policies and how to translate the data and
finds from excavations to appeal to a wider
audience.
Second and third years
In the second year you will have lectures
on such themes as burial rituals,
landscape, settlements, material culture or
bioarchaeology. You could decide to focus
more of your time on World Archaeology,
in which case you will be studying the early
hominids, prehistory, medieval societies
or the archaeology of the different research
regions in Leiden. Alternatively, you might
prefer to concentrate more on such themes
as heritage management in an international
context, globalisation, migration and identity
or landscape and society.
In the second half of the year you will choose
your tutorials; these are where you will look at
the themes in greater depth. At the end of this
year you will conduct fieldwork in one of the
faculty’s research projects.
In the third year, depending on your
personal preference, you might want to do
an internship at a government agency, a city
council or a museum, or you can further
develop your archaeological field knowledge
in the field or in a laboratory environment.
No classes are scheduled for the first half of
the third year, giving you time to follow a
minor at the Faculty or elsewhere, or to study
abroad. In the second half of the year you
follow a few remaining general courses, you
write your thesis and you do a final internship.
You can thus choose the direction that
you want to take and compile your own
programme of study according to your own
interests.
More information
If you would like to find out more about the
courses, see the prospectus at
https://studiegids.leidenuniv.nl/en/
Structure of year 2 and 3
Year 2
Thematic lectures (30 ec)
Dr. Sada Mire
Assistant Professor
‘In my research I focus on
cultural heritage in areas in conflict. I am
particularly looking to the shared history of
warring peoples. This shared origin can act
as a sizing agent in order to reduce or avoid
conflicts.Ideological groups and nationalists
have used the past for their interests in the
present throughout history. This is not just
an issue now and it is definitely not unique
for the Middle East. It is commonplace to
destroy cultural heritage in a process of
‘othering’ and from a superior ideological
standpoint. It’s the job of us scientists to
share our knowledge with them and to
train local archaeologists. My students,
I encourage to make a contribution here
in their study. That’s the only way future
generations can continue to learn about
their common history and archaeology can
contribute to resolving conflicts.’
Project groups (15 ec)
Year 3
Geographical Information Systems (5 ec)
Field work (10 ec)
Minor/electives/ study abroad (30 ec)
Theory (5 ec)
Predictive Modelling (5 ec)
Internship (5 ec)
Professional Skills (5 ec)
Thesis (10 ec)
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Modes of instruction
Leiden Study System
Instruction consists of lectures, seminars
and tutorials. In the lecture the lecturer talks
about his or her field. You prepare by studying
articles and books at home. In the seminars
and in particular in the tutorials, you examine
the material in more depth and discuss it with
your fellow students and the lecturer. You
also carry out assignments, give presentations
and write papers. You must make an active
contribution to tutorials and attendance is
compulsory.
You receive intensive personal supervision on
the Archaeology programme:
wwIn the first year you study in a mentor
group and your mentor from the first year
continues to support you right up to your
Bachelor’s degree. In addition, you can
always contact the study adviser with any
problems or questions arising from your
studies.
wwYour progress is recorded after the first
year too. You draw up a study plan for
the second year, stating which study
components you want to complete within a
certain time. You receive feedback on your
progress, according to objectives that act
as a good indication for whether you will
complete your studies within the statutory
period.
Complete your training with a Master’s
or Research Master’s!
This Bachelor’s programme is excellent
preparation for a variety of Master’s
specialisations in archaeology, cultural
anthropology, archaeological heritage or
museum studies.
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Rory Granleese
First-year student
“I grew up in Ireland, which is a
very interesting place in terms of
archaeology. Leiden was the only university
to offer an international bachelor for the
subject. I think it’s an incredibly interesting
course. What’s really nice is that when
you read the books for the courses, you
frequently come across the names of your
professors. My favourite subject is Earth
Sciences. It gives you the bigger picture.
Archaeology, everything we’ve left behind,
is directly related to geology. Many people
think that archaeology is an exact science,
but it’s actually a bit like journalism: you
have to gain support and convince people
that an artefact in fact is what you think it
is, with well-conducted research.”
Career
perspectives
And then you graduate. You can conduct
archaeological research, in the field or in
the lab, or you are specialised in heritage
management and policy. The versatility of
the skills that you have acquired make you
attractive to a wide range of employers. You
can do various jobs in the Netherlands or
abroad in government or business, NGO’s, at
research institutes and museums.
Moreover, you are an independent, critical
and above all articulate and creative thinker.
As a creative thinker you have developed the
ability to create a logical, accurate story from
incomplete information and to come up with
practical and original solutions. This makes
you suited to many different jobs.
Archaeology graduates find work as a field
archaeologist or an independent consultant,
or they work in policy, at museums, in
heritage management or in public relations.
Alternatively, you could continue in academia
and become a university researcher after your
Master’s degree.
More information about your career perspectives?
 bachelors.leiden.edu/archaeology
Where do our students find work?
37%
Consultancy Archaeology / Public space-Environment-Soil
29%
Government / Heritage-Land Management-Environment
22%
Research
4% Public interest group
2%
Education
2%
Art and culture
2%
NGO (Non-governmental organisation)
2%
Several sectors like Industry / Communications
Cornelie
Moolhuizen
archaeobotanist
‘Right after my graduation, I
started working at the company
where I am now: they were looking for
someone who was good with food residues
and my professor said: just talk with
Cornelie. So I rolled it. I work for a large
excavation company as an archaeobotanist.
My department makes reconstructions of
the landscape, and I specialise in the food
economy. In soil samples from an excavation
you find remains of plants and seeds and
from that I can deduce what people used
to eat.
The best part of this work is that it is so
concrete and tangible. It has been very
valuable to me that I was not isolated in
the lab during my studies, but spent a lot
of time working with others. I work with
my colleagues who see the big picture, and
want to contribute my part.’
Source: WO Monitor.
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What else does Archaeology
have to offer?
Honours College
If you are motivated go the extra mile and
have good grades, the Honours College gives
you the opportunity to follow an extra track
alongside your bachelor’s programme. You can
choose from different tracks, which are often
multi- or interdisciplinary and thus allow you
to opt for breadth or depth.
Study Association and debating
societies
Joining a study association is both fun
and worthwhile. L.A.S. Terra, the active
Archaeology Association, offers a wealth
of opportunities to get to know your fellow
students outside classes. It organises a firstyear weekend, excursions, lectures and of
course monthly drinks and amazing parties.
Each specialisation has its own debating
society. Through L.A.S. Terra you also get
discounts on textbooks. Find the latest news,
activities, photos and downloads on the
website lasterra.nl.
Study abroad
Considering studying abroad? Go for it! After
the first year the compulsory fieldwork makes
it very likely that you will end up abroad
anyway, but the department also has good
links with various leading universities abroad.
Obviously, any credits that you earn there
will count towards your studies in Leiden. If
you want to study abroad, you can apply for
various grants.
Prof. dr. Corinne Hofman
Dean
‘What fascinates me so much about archaeology is discovering an unknown past that has been lying beneath our very feet,
and contributing to the historic awareness of the often forgotten and unexplored events from world history. I carry out research
on Caribbean islands where I study the colonisation of the Caribbean region as it was experienced by the local Caribbean-Indian population.
Caribbean history as we know it was largely written from a European perspective. Our research group rewrites this history from a new
viewpoint, offering an alternative perspective on an important chapter in world history. Together with my team, I construct a precise and
scientifically founded image of settlements, excavations, mobility, trade, material culture and lifestyle. The research that I lead is known for
its multidisciplinary approach that combines archaeology with other disciplines such as isotope research, archaeometry, bio-archaeology,
molecular biology, network analysis, ethnohistory and ethnography. Our particular approach means that we are always seeking innovation
in archaeological research. The results of this approach testify to its validity and productivity; the approach itself innovates archaeological
research.’
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Come and
meet us
Want to know more about Archaeology and what it is like to study in Leiden?
Come to our introduction events or experience it all online!
Open Day
At the Open Day you can explore all the courses taught at the university. Get your bearings at the
information fair, go to the course presentations and experience the city where you will be studying.
Check for dates and more
information on:
bachelors.leiden.edu/contact
Experience Day
You attend lectures in the department with other prospective students. Together with an
instructor, you will review and discuss tasks that you have worked on beforehand. You will find
out more about the content of the course in an active way.
Student for a day
Shadow a student and decide if the course is right for you. You get to sit in on real lectures and
workgroups/tutorial sessions and get a feel for the atmosphere at the university.
Online Experience
You can participate in our online trial study module. Over a period of four weeks you will read
articles, complete online assignments and receive feedback from us. This way you can get a good
idea of what is expected from future students.
Any questions about the course or the
introduction events? We’re happy to help!
 bachelors.leiden.edu/archaeoloy
 [email protected]
 +31 (0)71 527 1111
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Broaden your horizons through one of our 46 bachelor’s
programmes or 78 master’s programmes in the beautiful historic
cities of Leiden and The Hague. Leiden University will contribute to
your academic and your personal development. Besides attending
lectures, you will be doing your own research into topics that are
relevant to society today, supported by lecturers and professors
of international standing. In its nearly 450 years of existence, our
university has built a solid reputation. Leiden University’s good
name will help you find a job after you graduate. Our international
university is also the ideal place for networking with people from
all over the world. Your opinion matters. Whatever your views,
whatever your faith, for us freedom of opinion is key. Discover
yourself. We would love to welcome you at Leiden University!
Discover the world at Leiden University