Program Overview
Archaeology
Uncover the stories of past societies through fieldwork, research, and hands-on discovery.
Discover the Past
Study artifacts, communities, and cultural heritage to better understand human history.
Learn by Doing
Participate in fieldwork, laboratory research, and hands-on projects.
Conduct Original Research
Work alongside faculty mentors as you prepare for Independent Study and professional opportunities.
Why Study Archaeology at Wooster?
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Wooster is one of the few liberal arts colleges where you can major in Archaeology.
You'll work closely with faculty who lead active research programs in Guatemala, Mexico, and Kentucky, giving students opportunities to participate in archaeological research in the United States and abroad. Students also gain experience through internships with local museums, forensic laboratories, and Cultural Resource Management organizations.
Many archaeology students serve as teaching assistants and research assistants, experiences that are often reserved for graduate students elsewhere.
Outside the classroom, you'll become part of a student community through the Archaeology Student Colloquium, which hosts public talks, International Archaeology Day, Science Day, and other events while connecting students with field schools, internships, and future opportunities.
Featured Courses
Explore archaeology through fieldwork, culture, science, and history.
- Introduction to Archaeology
- Archaeological Method and Theory
- Indigenous Narratives
- Archaeology of Mesoamerica
- Mesoamerican Art and Iconography
- Bioarchaeology of the Marginalized
- Biological Anthropology
- Archaeological Laboratory Analyses
- Cultural Resource Management: Exploring Archaeology in the U.S.
Experience archaeology beyond the classroom.
In the Archaeology Program Lab, you'll work with archaeological collections from Ohio and Pella, Jordan, explore a Mesoamerican research library, and collaborate on projects that prepare you for careers in the field, laboratories, and museums.
Faculty mentorship extends from your first courses through your yearlong Independent Study, with opportunities to participate in field research, laboratory analysis, conference presentations, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and collaborative research projects.
Ready to Explore Archaeology?
Whether you're interested in fieldwork, museums, cultural heritage, forensic science, or graduate research, Archaeology at Wooster gives you the knowledge and hands-on experience to uncover stories from the past.
Career Opportunities
Archaeology graduates pursue careers preserving, researching, and interpreting the human past.
Many graduates also continue to master's and doctoral programs in archaeology and related fields.
Key Areas
Cultural Resource Management specialist
Archaeologist
Museum professional
Curator
Conservator
Archivist
Special collections specialist
Public education and outreach professional
Researcher
Professor
Where Our Alumni Go
Archaeology graduates have built careers with organizations including:
- JEM Archaeology PTY Ltd.
- TYPSA US
- Archaeological Consultants of the Carolinas, Inc.
- Braun Intertec
Graduates have also continued their education at institutions including:
- University of Michigan
- Penn State University
- Tulane University
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Alumni have held academic positions at:
- Grand Valley State University
- UC Davis
- Centro de Estudios Mexicanos y Centroamericanos
Scholarships & Student Opportunities
Archaeology students may benefit from:
- Vivian Holliday Prize
- Kendall-Rives Latin American Research Grant
- APEX Fellowship
- Copeland Funds
Additional opportunities include field schools, internships, faculty research, conference presentations, teaching assistantships, and research assistant positions.
Olivia Navarro-Farr
Professor of Archaeology, Sociology, and Anthropology; Program Chair for Archaeology
onavarro-farr@wooster.edu
Ricardo Higelin Ponce de León
Assistant Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology
rhigelin@wooster.edu
Josephine Shaya
Marian Senter Nixon Chair in Classical Civilization; Chair of Classical Studies
jshaya@wooster.edu
Gregory C. Wiles
Shoolroy Chair of Natural Resources; Professor of Earth Sciences
gwiles@wooster.edu
Margaret Ng Wee-Siang
Associate Professor of History; Archaeology; Chinese Studies; Program Chair of East Asian Studies; Co-Liaison to the Public Health Pathway
mng@wooster.edu
Connect With the Department
| Interested in Archaeology? We'd love to help you learn more about fieldwork opportunities, research experiences, faculty mentorship, and the many career paths in archaeology. |