The Committee on Archaeological Studies

The Committee on Archaeological Studies has been set up to promote and coordinate the study of archaeology in all its varieties. Broadly conceived, archaeology is the study of culture through analysis of the material record, including artifacts, architecture, art, texts, and other aspects of the human landscape. Archaeology can be studied in terms of a region (e.g., the Near East, the Classical World, the Andean Highlands) or as an investigation of comparative developments in several cultures. The approach of a particular archaeologist may be based in anthropology, art history, architecture, ecology, history, materials science, or a combination of these and other fields. Common methodology, shared research questions, theoretical interests and a desire to reach broad-ranging syntheses create a need for cooperation and coordination among practitioners in these fields. The mission of this committee is to promote and facilitate such cooperation among faculty, students, and research staff at this university.

The archaeology of any given geographical area or period is inseparable from the study of the other aspects of the area or period and may be, therefore, the concern of a particular department or committee of the University. The study of Roman architecture or Greek vase painting, for instance, are taught in the Departments of Art History and of Classical Languages & Literatures and in the Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World. Chinese art and archaeology are taught in Art History and in East Asian Languages & Civilizations. The civilizations of the Near East (Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syria, Israel/Palestine, Anatolia, Iran, the Arabian Peninsula, and neighboring areas) are the primary focus of the Oriental Institute; the closely related Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations stresses ancient language training and artifact immersion as well as problem-oriented research in the preparation of an archaeologist. Anthropological archaeology has a global scope, and faculty and students in this department deal with theoretical issues in both prehistoric and historic periods. For instance, investigations of specific research questions, such as the transition to dependence on domesticated plants and animals, or the comparative study of political and social complexity, can be carried out in any area of the world and are normally pursued in anthropology, although such topics are also covered in one or more of the other departments with regional specialties. During the past twenty years, the geographically centered fields (e.g., Near East, Classical World) have incorporated much of the theory and method pioneered in anthropology, while anthropology has become more involved in history. Thus, the need for coordination, cooperation, and information exchange has increased, and the Committee on Archaeological Studies functions to meet those needs. Part of its function is to encourage faculty to offer joint courses and to aid students in choosing the appropriate program of study, especially by taking courses outside their own departments.

• Greek, Roman, and Aegean archaeology: Department of Art History, Department of Classical Languages & Literatures, and Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World.
• Near Eastern archaeology, including all periods from prehistory through Islamic: Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations. Most archaeological faculty of this department are also faculty of the Oriental Institute, which is a research institute that does not grant degrees but does invite participation by students in excavations and laboratory research. Research Associates of the Oriental Institute occasionally offer courses and serve on doctoral committees.
• General Old World and New World archaeology, with coverage from the Paleolithic to recent historic periods, are taught in the Department of Anthropology. Archaeological theory and method are offered in Anthropology and Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations. Art Historical theory is covered in Art History. Landscape archaeology, including geomorphology, is available in Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations. Ancient settlement pattern and demography are covered in that department as well as Anthropology.

Analytical techniques (for ceramics, archeobotany, sedimentology) are available in Anthropology, while metals analysis and other material science approaches are directed by faculty and staff of the Oriental Institute. GIS, remote sensing, and other computer-related facilities exist in both Anthropology and the Oriental Institute. Making the existence of such facilities known and available to archaeological faculty and students at the university is another way in which Archaeological Studies can act as a coordinator of effort.

The Committee on Archaeological Studies organizes Graduate Workshops that investigate specific topics of interest to all archaeologists and has initiated a one-day session each year in which faculty, staff, and students make informal presentations of their current research. More formal symposia on general topics will also be organized from time to time.

The Committee does not accept applications for admission and does not grant any degrees; applications for admission should be submitted to the department in which the student's chief interest falls.

This text was last revised on 8/21/2001.