Minor in Archaeology
A minor in Archaeology provides an introduction to the study of the material cultures of past societies. It can complement many majors, including but not limited to Anthropology, Applied Physics, Art and Art History, Classics, Earth Systems, Engineering, Geological and Environmental Sciences, History, and Religious Studies.
To minor in Archaeology, students must complete at least 27 units of relevant course work comprised of:
- 10 units of core courses
- 2-5 units of methods and skills courses
- 5 units of theory courses
- 10 units of elective courses
Students may design their own path through the minor. Or, they may select from one of the three following Archaeology minor tracks designed for STEM and humanities students. These Archaeology minor tracks are complete packages of courses that will comprise a full minor, and each track is made up of courses designed to appeal to students from different majors. While your minor will be noted on your diploma, the specific track you take will not.
Click here to see the most up to date classes categorized into the Archaeology Major Academic Components
Minor Track 1 (for students interested in or majoring in biology, human biology, environmental sciences)
Core - choose two:
- Archaeological Methods (ARCHLGY 102) - required;
- Introduction to Archaeology (ARCHLGY 1);
- History of Archaeological Thought (ARCHLGY 103);
Methods and Skills - choose one:
- The Social life of Human Bones (ARCHLGY 115);
- Archaeobotany (ARCHLGY 126);
- Human Skeletal Anatomy (ANTHRO 175);
- Zooarchaeology: An Introduction to Faunal Remains (ARCHLGY 119);
- Environmental Archaeology (ARCHLGY 110).
Theory - choose two:
- Archaeology of Food: production, consumption and ritual (ARCHLGY 124);
- Animals and us (ARCHLGY 34);
- Archaeology of climate (ARCHLGY 106).
Electives - take both or explore additional options here:
- A Deep Dive Into the Indian Ocean (ANTHRO 129C);
- Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Maritime Archaeology of the Ancient Mediterranean (ARCHLGY 145).
Minor Track 2 (for students interested in or majoring in engineering or computer science)
Core - choose two:
- Archaeological Methods (ARCHLGY 102) - required;
- Introduction to Archaeology (ARCHLGY 1);
- History of Archaeological Thought (ARCHLGY 103);
Methods and Skills - choose one:
- Computational/digital methods (TBD year to year);
- Ceramics analysis (TBD year to year);
- Virtual Italy: Methods for Historical Data Science (Classics 115);
- Digital Methods in Anthropology (ANTHRO 98C);
- Spatial Approaches to Social Science (ANTHRO 130D);
- Experimental archaeology (ARCHLGY 233 – by petition only).
Theory - take both:
- Design of Cities (ARCHLGY 156);
- Ten Things: An Archaeology of Design (ARCHLGY 151);
Electives - must take:
- Engineering the Roman Empire (ARCHLGY 118)
Minor Track 3 (for students majoring in or interested in history, art history, heritage studies, religious studies, or other humanities)
Core - choose two:
- History of Archaeological Thought (ARCHLGY 103) - required;
- Introduction to Archaeology (ARCHLGY 1);
- Archaeological Methods (ARCHLGY 102);
- Archaeology as a Profession (ARCHLGY 107A).
Methods and Skills - choose one:
- Museum Cultures: Material Representation in the Past and Present (ARCHLGY 134);
- Virtual Italy: Methods for Historical Data Science (Classics 115).
Theory – choose one:
- Theory of Social and Cultural Anthropology (ANTHRO 90B);
- Ten Things: An Archaeology of Design (ARCHLGY 151);
- Design of Cities (ARCHLGY 156).
Electives - choose two or explore additional options here::
- Heritage course (TBD year to year);
- Archaeologies of Religion: Belief, Ritual and Tradition (ANTHRO 117B);
- Colonialism course (TBD year to year);
- Archaeology of Gender and Sexuality (choice of ARCHLGY 129 or CLASSICS 36);
- The artist in Ancient Greece (ARTHIST 100N/CLASSICS 18N);
- Ancient Empires - near East (CLASSICS 81/HISTORY 117);
- others - TBD year to year (e.g. this year - Statues, Use and Abuse of Prehistory, Europe before the Romans).
Download the Archaeology Minor brochure.
Please contact our student services officer, Maria Kristina Guillen, at mguillen [at] stanford.edu for questions regarding the Archaeology Minor program.