BA in Anthropology - Archaeology in Harrisonburg United States | James Madison University

Archaeology explores how human societies have evolved from ancient times to today by examining and interpreting physical artifacts. Our program takes an anthropological perspective on archaeology while maintaining connections with other anthropology subfields. The discipline has established unique theories and techniques for uncovering humanity's story, often focusing on how material objects shed light on past ways of life.
The archaeology specialization develops student skills in key areas like fieldwork techniques, artifact analysis, and cultural history across global regions. Through elective courses and independent research, students investigate diverse aspects of archaeological work, prioritizing practical experience with authentic artifacts and data. Faculty advisors help students select relevant electives both within and beyond the program to support their academic and career goals. Those concentrating in archaeology can enhance their knowledge through advanced courses in history, geography, geology, art history, and biology. While not mandatory, we highly recommend hands-on field training, available through our summer archaeological field school program.