Dig Deep
In course projects, students take an interdisciplinary view, analyzing and interpreting material remains in a variety of ways. The range of supporting courses provides students with the flexibility to plan their own programs. In addition to ARCN courses, several other departments and programs offer classes that count toward the Archaeology minor; these include Art History, Classics, Digital Arts and Humanities, Geology, History, Latin American Studies, and Sociology & Anthropology.
Students from any major may participate in the minor. Interested students are encouraged to consult with the faculty early in their sophomore year in order to plan ahead and retain as much freedom of choice as possible in meeting the requirements of the program. Archaeology minors since 1991 have majored in: Art History, Biology, Chemistry, Classics, Geology, History, Latin American Studies, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Sociology & Anthropology, Studio Art, and more.
Carleton students share findings with wider community
Explore students’ findings and results (artifacts, maps, historical documents, etc.) from recent archaeological excavations on Carleton’s campus.
Info for First-Year Students
Archaeology is an interdisciplinary study of material artifacts in their cultural and environmental context. Students analyze and interpret material remains and archaeological interpretations.
Can I minor in Archaeology?
Yes, a minor is offered in this field.
Topics explored
Material culture, prehistory and history, anthropology, art, geology and the environment, especially in the ancient Mediterranean world and Americas.
How to get started
The best place to start is ARCN 101 – The Human Story: Archaeology and the Anthropocene, which is an introduction to archaeology via the material history of our species and is typically offered every winter term. Other introductory-level archaeology courses include: ARCN 112 – Archaeology of Native North America; CLAS 122, 123, 124 – Prehistoric, Greek, and Roman Archaeology, respectively; and LTAM 113 – Archaeology of Ancient Latin America. Interested first-year students may also take ARCN 246: Archaeological Methods, which is a hands-on introduction to fieldwork and laboratory analysis.
Students interested in the archaeology minor should consult with faculty early in the sophomore year (or earlier) to devise a plan to meet the requirements of the program.
