Monash University: University handbooks: Postgraduate handbook: Units indexed by faculty
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Archaeology and ancient history

Course coordinator: Dr Colin A Hope

Archaeology, together with ancient history, is the reconstruction of past societies using whatever type of data remains, whether this is structural, artefactual, documentary or literary. It explores the genesis, evolution and characteristics of the patterns of human existence on both cognitive and practical levels. The geographical focus is upon the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean world and temporally from the beginnings of urbanism among early agricultural communities until the fourth century CE, thus upon complex societies. Within this broad spectrum emphasis is placed on the study of Egypt and its interaction with neighbouring regions. Studies which combine a variety of methodological approaches are encouraged and priority is given to those which involve practical components, whether in the field or in relation to museum collections, both of which can be arranged through the centre. The application of scientific techniques to the study of archaeological material is welcomed.

Research strengths and supervision

Research strengths include: settlement and mortuary archaeology with specific reference to the Predynastic Period - Old Kingdom, the New Kingdom and the Ptolemaic-Roman Periods, both within the Nile Valley and the Saharan region; the history of New Kingdom and Ptolemaic-Roman Egypt; ceramic studies; ancient technology; numismatics; and the archaeology of early Christianity. Supervision can be offered in any of these areas. The Centre for Archaeology and Ancient History is one of only two locations in Australia, and the only one in Victoria, where postgraduate research on ancient Egypt can be undertaken under the supervision of specialist researchers.

Research activities

The centre annually offers postgraduate research seminars by its staff and students, and by visitors from interstate and overseas. The seminars may focus on general research issues, new discoveries or work in progress. Public events with local, interstate and overseas speakers are organised through the Egyptology Society of Victoria.

Research student achievements and activities

Students from the centre regularly participate in archaeological excavations throughout Victoria and in Egypt, either on a voluntary basis or as salaried supervisors/assistants. Former students have found positions with the National Gallery of Victoria and Geelong Grammar and as contract archaeologists within Victoria, as lecturers/guides in Egypt and at the University of Sheffield.

Facilities/special features

Staff of the centre are part of a major international archaeological project in Egypt, working in Egypt’s Dakhleh Oasis and with links to other projects in Egypt. Due to its active participation in fieldwork in Egypt, the Centre for Archaeology and Ancient History is ideally placed to provide students with new and previously unpublished or unstudied data that can be incorporated into research programs. It has close links with both the Museum of Victoria and the National Gallery of Victoria. The centre has a research library and small museum of Mediterranean antiquities, plus a reference collection of Egyptian ceramics and casts of South Italian coins.

Research degrees

Supervision of PhD and masters by research candidature is available. Research interests of staff are available at www.arts.monash.edu.au/archaeology/research.html.

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