Archaeology (MA/MSc)
Archaeology of Europe
In the master’s programme in Archaeology, you can follow courses on the archaeology of Europe, deepening your understanding of the continent’s long history.
Studying the Archaeology of Europe
From Neanderthals living on the windswept plains of Pleistocene Europe to the mound builders of the metal ages. From Romans watching the river Rhine all the way to the cities of the 19th century. The archaeology of Europe spans a wide array of themes and eras, taught by our world-renowned experts.
Our courses on the Archaeology of Europe
Key Developments in European Prehistory
This is a course in which key developments in prehistoric Europe will be discussed, taking place between the 7th and the end of the 1st millennium BC. Themes that are addressed include the emergence of farming in Europe, the deep history of migration, the rise of social complexity, the spread of metallurgy, ethnogenesis (Celts, Germans, Scythians), and the legacy of prehistory in modern Europe.
The course will focus on how to reflect on and encapsulate such broad issues in regional terms, how they relate to practical research, and if/how they play a role in debates in contemporary society. The lectures will be closely linked to current research of our section members.
Europe's first millennium
Organised around ongoing research by Leiden University’s Faculty of Archaeology, this course will focus on the archaeology and archaeological practice of north-west Europe during the Roman and Early Medieval periods, providing both an overview of the period(s) as well as advanced insight into the way(s) in which archaeology is practised.
The programme will consist of alternating (guest) lectures and more hands-on seminars in which the students’ own research will be the focus.
Archeologie en Erfgoed van Nederland (in Dutch)
In de cursus Archeologie en Erfgoed van Nederland gaan we in op de nieuwste wetenschappelijke inzichten over het (archeologisch) Verhaal van Nederland; van Paleolithicum tot Moderne Tijd. Wat weten we over het verre verleden van Nederland? Wat is de actuele stand van kennis over de Nederlandse archeologie? Hoe past dat in een bredere Noordwest-Europese context? Hoe brengen we ons verhaal naar het publiek, maar ook welk verhaal?
Daarnaast kijken we ook naar de bredere rol van archeologisch erfgoed in het heden. Studenten worden uitgedaagd om archeologische kennis toe te passen in een voortdurend veranderende wetenschappelijke en politiek-maatschappelijke omgeving.
These courses are taught in the academic year 2026-2027. The curriculum for next year may differ slightly.