Digging Up the Past

Major: Archaeology
Minor: Archaeology

Whether found on the rolling fields of Guatemala, an island in the Mediterranean or a palace in Israel, archaeology analyzes the physical remains of the past in pursuit of a comprehensive understanding of human culture. Students majoring in archaeology are given a solid foundation in the theories, methods, and diverse approaches that archaeologists use to answer important questions about cultural diversity and social change through time and across vast geographic regions. Lycoming’s strength lies in providing students with unique field experiences, individualized curriculum with diverse electives, and extensive internship opportunities, as proven by the archaeology department. Whether at a dig site in Guatemala, or at an internship with a museum in Cyprus or a local organization, Lycoming enables archaeology students to augment their customized curriculum with applied learning experiences. Here, individual research and discussion of major archaeological topics are encouraged. Small class sizes inspire stimulating civil discourse to address important questions regarding cultural diversity; the impacts of race, class, and gender in different societies; and technological change throughout time.

Student Opportunities

  • Participate in a research assistantship with a faculty member.
  • Present research at local and national conferences, such as The Archaeological Institute of America annual conference.
  • Gain teaching experience as a tutor for the Academic Resource Center or the Writing Center.
  • Study distinctive museum collections loaned to Lycoming College.
  • Participate in international archaeological digs in Guatemala, Israel, Cyprus, or other accredited archaeological projects.
  • Gain hands-on archaeological survey and excavation experience at a farmstead on the grounds of the Lycoming Biology Field Station 10 minutes from campus.
  • Complete a study abroad course in another country, such as Italy, Ireland, England, Cyprus, Guatemala or Israel.
  • Pursue an internship at a nationally recognized museum such as the University of Pennsylvania Museum, the Pennsylvania State Museum, or the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, or an internship offered exclusively to Lycoming students with the Smithsonian Institution.
  • Participate in a local internship through Lycoming’s Williamsport Internship Summer Experience (WISE) program.

Why Lycoming?

  1. Ample opportunities for archaeology field experiences provide students with practical and hands-on training in field and laboratory methods.
  2. Classes are taught by faculty with the highest degrees in their fields, who secure research grants and awards, and who regularly publish in top scholarly journals, including Latin American Antiquity, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, and more.
  3. A low student-to-faculty ratio ensures that student research projects are tailored to their interests.
  4. Students have access to a new state-of-the-art archaeology laboratory with modern instrumentation for teaching, student research, and hands-on learning.
  5. All archaeology students gain valuable research experience through poster presentations for their capstone course.
  6. Archaeology students have access to a five-year loan of ceramic collections from the University of Pennsylvania Museum.

Why Lycoming is the Right Choice →