Archaeology

Explore the ways of life of people long ago. Unravel the mysteries behind past societies and civilizations. Study the past by exploring the possibilities of future research. Participate in the excavation of archaeological sites both at home and abroad. These opportunities and more are available to you when you choose Archaeology at the University of Saskatchewan.

What is Archaeology?

Archaeology is the study of the past life ways of people and cultures through the physical remains that they have left behind. Whether it is pondering the purpose of an ancient Egyptian temple, investigating the mystery behind a 5,000-year-old burial or unraveling the stories surrounding an abandoned homestead, archaeologists employ a wide variety of techniques to answer questions concerning the past. Osteological analysis, geological interpretations, biological adaptations or sociological explanations – you name it, archaeologists use it!

A Stepping Stone...

Want to dig a little further? The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology also offers a graduate program, in which students can attain both a masters and doctorate in archaeology. The graduate program is highly regarded and graduates have been sought after by various companies, institutions and universities across North America and overseas!

Career Opportunities

Graduates from the Archaeology Program have successfully pursued careers in a wide variety of professions – professor, academic researcher, museum interpretation and administration, archival and historical work, education and public awareness, cultural resource management, and positions within government-regulated agencies responsible for heritage management and preservation.

The U of S Advantage

If you choose to study Archaeology at the University of Saskatchewan, you will have the opportunity to learn from our highly knowledgeable and outstanding professors. You will also be able to study and thrive in a warm and comfortable environment full of students just like you! Housed within a heritage stone building located on campus, the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology is equipped with its own library, classrooms, study labs, computer labs and a student lounge. With our professors located just around the corner from the classrooms, coupled with a large and diverse collection specifically for teaching, the University of Saskatchewan has what you need to succeed!

Choose Your Program!

The Archaeology Program provides students with the opportunity to specialize in the following areas:

Pre-Contact Archaeology - With a strong focus on northern plains and boreal forest regions, students interested in Pre-Contact Archaeology will learn all about the numerous cultures that thrived in and around the prairie regions prior to and after European contact.
Historical Archaeology - Defined as the archaeological studies of the origin of the modern world, students interested in Historical Archaeology will have the opportunity to learn about everything from the archaeology of Culture Contact to the archaeology of Modern Capitalism.
Geoarchaeology - This sub-field of archaeology explores the effects of geological processes on archaeological sites. Students apply geological and geographical techniques to answer archaeological questions in a unique and innovative way.
Bioarchaeology - Bioarchaeology is the application of a diverse array of biological techniques to archaeological remains in order to learn more about the past. Such techniques include osteoarchaeology (study of human remains), zooarchaeology (study of animal remains), palynology (study of pollen) and paleobotany (study of ancient plant remains).

A Major in Archaeology

Students majoring in Archaeology can choose from one of the following degrees:

B.A. Three-year
B.A. Four-year
B.A. Honours
B.Sc. Four-year
B.Sc. Honours

The Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology Program offers a Four-year and Honours degree.

Outstanding Faculty

Dr. Chris Foley – Specializes in Near Eastern Archaeology. Some of Dr. Foley’s interests include Syro-Palestinian Archaeology, Neolithic and early urban cultures, archaeological methodology, computer applications, spatial analysis and settlement patterns. Dr. Foley has been active with the Wadi ath-Thamad project in Jordan and Qubur al-Walaydah in southern Israel.
Dr. Margaret Kennedy – Specializes in Historical Archaeology and the Archaeology of the northern plains. Dr. Kennedy is currently working on a long-term research project involving homesteads during the early twentieth century. Other research topics include the fur trade and buffalo robe trade of the North American west and early western Canadian settlement.
Dr. Angela Lieverse – Specializes in studying ancient human remains from Siberia (Russia) and Japan in order to better understand past health and activity. She is a co-investigator on several large research grants and is the author of more than 15 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
Dr. Alison Maingon – Specializes in Greek Bronze Age Archaeology. Dr. Maingon’s interests include women of antiquity, Greek language, art and architecture.
Dr. David Meyer – Specializes in the archaeology of the western interior boreal forest and adjacent northern plains. Dr. Meyer also has a special interest with pre-European pottery. He has also published numerous publications that can be found in the Canadian Journal of Archaeology and Plains Anthropologist.
Dr. Elizabeth Robertson – Specializes in Geoarchaeology, Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction, Archaeometry, Artefact Conservations, Northern Plains Archaeology, Arctic Archaeology and South Asian Archaeology.
Dr. Ernie Walker – Specializes in Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, Forensic Studies and North American prehistory with a special emphasis on the Northern Plains and the American Southwest. Dr. Walker was instrumental in the development of Wanuskewin Heritage Park, located on the outskirts of Saskatoon.

Getting Involved!

Would you like to take your interest in Archaeology and use it to benefit the archaeology community in Saskatchewan? At the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, you will have the opportunity to join our undergraduate student society, which focuses on strengthening the solidarity of the archaeology undergraduate community while giving students the opportunity to express their research interests.

Want to be involved with the archaeology community at a more provincial level? Our department has established a very close relationship with societies such as the Saskatoon Archaeological Society and the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society, which hosts monthly meetings as well as organizes field trips to various archaeological sites!

Research Facilities

The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology is equipped with numerous labs specifically devoted to teaching and researching various fields of Archaeology. Aside from its large and extensive collection comprised of pre-contact, historical, ethnological and osteological material, the department also contains a faunal collection, which is among the largest of its kind in Canada.

Related Interests

If you are interested in Archaeology, you might also be interested in:

Relevant Links

For more information available online for Archaeology: