Concentration in Classical Archaeology

The Concentration in Classical Archaeology aims to provide the training and context to produce scholars ready to engage in cutting-edge archaeological research and teaching about the Greek and Roman worlds (including Cyprus and the wider Mediterranean area) in any period from prehistory through to Late Antiquity. Candidates are trained to be qualified for academic positions with an archaeological focus in Departments of Classics, History of Art, or Anthropology, as well as in interdisciplinary Archaeology Programs concerned with the ancient world and complex societies. The Cornell program offers a strong institutional setting, combining a long pedigree in outstanding Classical scholarship, cognate departments and courses in History of Art, Near Eastern Studies, and Anthropology, and world-leading science departments for those seeking to develop inter-disciplinary projects.

Qualification for entrance
Applicants should have studied one ancient language (either Greek or Latin) for 1-2 years or a significant amount of ancient history or classical archaeology. Majors such as ancient history, classical civilization, or classical archaeology provide an appropriate undergraduate training. Students with no ancient language or insufficient training will be required to take an intensive beginning language course at Cornell over the summer preceding their first registration. (Required summer training will be fully funded.)
Students who already have one of the ancient languages will be encouraged to acquire competence in a second. Students who wish to work on a dissertation topic involving both Classical Greek and Roman material are normally required to display competence in both languages.

Requirements for the PhD
Students must satisfy the general degree requirements of the graduate program in Classics.

1. The First Year Examination will ensure basic competence in Greek and Roman Culture and History. This written examination is based on a reading list of both primary sources in translation and secondary sources.
2.  The “Q” Examination is a written examination designed  to demonstrate a good level of proficiency in one ancient language (Greek or Latin) and to test progress on the Classical Archaeology Bibliography.
3. The “A” Examination will comprise one major area, which must be a Classical Archaeological subject, and two minor areas, one of which must be in either Greek or Latin philology and literature.
4. A documented 8-week minimum of fieldwork must be completed before the “B” Examination.
5. Minimum course work will be distributed as follows:

• research Seminar in Classical Archaeology
• four further 400-600 level seminars in classical archaeology and art
• four seminars in another area of archaeology or in an archaeology-related discipline. Up to two of these can include courses not at the 400-600 level in an area held necessary for a dissertation proposal (for example courses to learn about a geographic or materials science or scientific approach, or statistical techniques, etc.).
• four 400-600 level seminars in classical literature and philology or in ancient history.