History Degree Program in China - Archaeology

1. Introduction

Archaeology mission is to study the history of the ancient human society based on the material data of ancient human beings through various activities. Physical data includes monuments and relics, many of them are buried in the ground, so archaeologists must explore through scientific investigation, in order to be systematic, complete and revealing collection. Therefore, the basis of archaeological research lies in the research of the field.

Archaeologists are different from historians who only study the history of different records, they study the ancient human's legacy, and the history of the prehistoric culture has not been studied. Archaeologists work to explore the origins of human culture.

2. Research Objects

The objects of archaeological research are material objects, mainly the material remains, or is said to be the relic and the trace. These remains should be left behind by the ancient human activities. Archaeological research has focused on the past, including the various information left over from past cultures. So its research object belongs to a certain period of time ago.

3. Archaeological Technology

Archaeological restoration

Archaeological dating

Remote sensing archaeology

Archaeological excavation

Luoyang shovel

4. Major Branches

1) Prehistoric archaeology and historical archaeology

2) Field archaeology

3) Archaeology of fine arts

4) Religious archaeology

5) Archaeology of ancient coins

6) Paleography and inscription school

7) Aerial archaeology

8) Underwater archaeology

9) Other branches, such as European archaeology, Egyptian Archaeology, Chinese archaeology, and Japanese archaeology.

5. Subject Relations

1) Natural science

2) Engineering technology

3) The humanities and social aspects

6. Archaeological Purposes

1) Discover, record and protect the past human material remains, revealing their location and relationship in time and space, including the physical background of their existence.

2) Rebuild the behavior and way of life of the human being represented by the specific time, place and particular ancient relics.

3) Establish the chronological sequence of ancient relics, and a cultural history of a particular area.

4) The interpretation of law with human behavior and culture embodied by ancient relics.

7. Setting Background

Archaeology program trains high-level talents with archaeology basic knowledge and basic skills, further develop potential and archaeology talents in archaeological, cultural relics, museums and other institutions and state organs engaged in the practical work of research, teaching and management.

The students mainly study the basic theory, methods and skills of archaeology, understand archaeology in the interdisciplinary development trend and the world archaeology development general situation, familiar with history and research situation of the development of Chinese archaeology; receive basic training in Chinese history, world history, Museum of science, study theory, cultural anthropology, ethnology, ancient Chinese historical science, geography, Quaternary environment, ancient cultural relics etc.

8. Knowledge and Skills

1) Master the basic theories, knowledge, methods and skills of archaeology;

2) Be able to engage in the field of archaeological excavation, collation and preparation of archaeological report;

3) Master the museum management skills;

4) Master the basic methods and means of document retrieval and data query;

5) understand the most important theoretical frontiers and trends in the field of archaeology;

6) With the ability to engage in archaeological and historical research.

9. Main Subjects

History

10. Main Courses

General history of China, the world ancient history, China history, archaeology, an introduction to archaeology, Old Stone Age Archaeology, New Stone Age Archaeology, Xia and Shang Zhou archaeology, Warring States, Qin and Han Dynasties archaeology, Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties archaeology, Sui and Tang Dynasty archaeology, the Song and Yuan Dynasties archaeology, field archaeology.

Practice Teaching 

Teaching practice arrangement: 3-5 months, generally for field archaeology practice.

11. Similar Programs

History, world history, archaeology, museology, ethnology, cultural relics protection technology

12. Employment Prospects

Graduates can go to university or research institutes engaged in teaching or scientific research work, can also go to the museum, the auction house, cultural relics shops or customs, engaged in cultural relics protection, antique identification and auction and other work.