The principal aim of the Centre for Archaeology and Ancient History is to expand students' engagement, through detailed research, with the culture and history of key civilisations of the ancient Mediterranean, especially Egypt. It encourages students to explore and consider the various means by which the ancient past can be approached through a combination of textual sources and material culture, and the ways in which it is both constructed and deconstructed.
The centre offers the only program in Victoria and one of only two in Australia that provides supervision of research degrees in Egyptology, especially Egyptian archaeology from the Predynastic to early Christian Period. It also offers supervision in aspects of the Classical world, the Near East and regions extending to the Indian sub-continent.
Postgraduate study can be undertaken by research or a combination of research and coursework. Students are supported by a process of induction, training in methodology and theoretical approaches, and supervised project design; regular seminars are held by staff, students and visiting academics. All postgraduate students are given the opportunity to participate in fieldwork in Egypt on one of the centre's various projects.
