Historical Archaeology

Historical archaeology investigates the human past using both archaeological evidence and written records, working across the period from roughly the beginning of literacy to the recent past. Unlike prehistoric archaeology, which must rely exclusively on material evidence, historical archaeology can draw on documents, maps, images and oral testimony alongside the physical traces of past activity that excavation reveals. This combination of methods allows for a richer and more nuanced understanding of how people actually lived, and it raises interesting questions about the relationship between what people wrote about themselves and what the material record reveals.

At the University of York, this three-year full-time degree takes you across a wide chronological range, from the Roman Empire and the Viking world through the medieval period and into the early modern era. You will develop skills in archaeological fieldwork and analysis alongside the ability to work with historical documents and to integrate material and textual evidence. York is one of the most archaeologically rich cities in Britain, and the university's close connections with excavation projects, museums and heritage organisations give the degree a strong practical and professional dimension.

A sandwich year placement, a year abroad, and a work placement are all available, giving you significant professional and international experience in archaeological and heritage contexts.

You will develop rigorous analytical skills, fieldwork competence, the ability to work with diverse forms of evidence, and the capacity to communicate your findings clearly in written and oral form. Independent research is emphasised throughout, culminating in a dissertation that demonstrates your ability to engage with an original question in depth.

Graduates move into careers in archaeology, heritage management, museums and galleries, conservation, local authority planning and historic environment services, the civil service, and academic research. Postgraduate study in archaeology, history or heritage studies is a well-established pathway.