Bachelor of Arts
Archaeology
Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology)
Campus: Cairns; Townsville
Mode: on campus; full time or part time
Duration: 3 years full time
Prerequisites: English
Mid-year entry: Yes
QTAC codes: Cairns 321031; Townsville 311031
What is Archaeology?
Career opportunities
Archaeology is the study of past human societies through the materials
they have left behind. This evidence can include settlements, objects,
buildings, burials, roads and tracks, irrigation works, and rubbish that is
left behind. It may also include examination of historical documents.
Archaeologists believe that using a broad spectrum of evidence allows for a
more accurate picture of a society.
Opportunities exist for graduates as consultants and advisors on specific
projects relating to cultural heritage assessments, including in mineral
and resource exploration industries. Archaeology graduates also pursue
careers in universities, museums and interpretive centres, forensic science
laboratories, government departments, local councils, communities
charged with heritage protection and management, and
mining companies.
Archaeology uses a range of sophisticated techniques, but the method
most associated with the discipline is excavation, where soil and other
deposits that accumulate over time are slowly and systematically
removed. Archaeology includes topics such as human evolution (tracing
the path from our distant ancestors over millions of years), as well as
studying the social lives of gatherer-hunters, agriculturalists and citydwellers.
Archaeological evidence is used to reconstruct subsistence activities
and broader economics, ritual and religion, and trade and exchange.
Archaeology is also used in forensic investigations. Modern Archaeology
provides scope for both humanistic and scientific approaches in exploring
and understanding what it is to be human.
Major overview
Archaeology at James Cook University makes the most of our local
environment and our direct links to tropical Asia, as well as introducing
students to the big questions, such as:
• When did our ancestors become human?
• What prompted some of our ancestors to give up hunting and
gathering?
• Why did people start living in cities?
You will investigate Indigenous and colonial Australia, our Pacific and Asian
neighbours, and the origins of European society.
Students can choose to combine this major with another Bachelor of Arts
major (double major). To add further value it is possible to combine the
Bachelor of Arts with another degree (see Joint degree opportunities).
Major highlights
Archaeology students at JCU have access to world-class, in-house
geophysics equipment. You can participate in site visits and fieldwork
projects, and gain experience in field techniques. Staff and research
students have active projects around Townsville, in northern Queensland,
and a project in Southeast Asia investigating the 4000-year transition from
early farming to the rise of kings and emperors in Southeast Asia.
Professional recognition
Graduates who have completed an Honours year are eligible for
membership of the:
• Australian Archaeological Association
• Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists
• Australasian Society of Historical Archaeology
• Australasian Institute of Maritime Archaeology
• World Archaeological Congress.
12 | Enquiries 1800 246 446 | jcu.edu.au
Your study
A selection of subjects for this course includes:
• Forensic Archaeology
• Archaeology of Celtic Europe
• Archaeology of the Near East, Egypt & the Classical world
• Ancestors and Emperors: The Rise & Fall of Ancient Societies
• Archaeology of the Ancient Maya: A Tropical Rainforest Civilisation.
Students are encouraged to gain a second major in an Arts or Social
Science area, thereby providing a further distinguishing feature to their
course. The subjects required for a second major will utilise the space
allocated to electives and will not extend the duration of your studies.
For full course outline details, visit www.jcu.edu.au/courses
Honours
An Honours program is available to students demonstrating high
academic performance. Honours consists of an extra year of study and the
development of a personal research project and thesis.
Joint degree opportunities
Joint degrees give students expertise in a complementary discipline in a
reduced time, and can enhance career prospects. At JCU, the Bachelor of
Arts (Archaeology) can be combined with:
• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Law
• Bachelor of Science.
For further details, visit page 46.