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Archaeological Sciences

Available as a concentration

When it comes to archaeological education in Virginia, Roanoke College is leading the way. As the only college in the state that offers an archeological sciences program, we’ll prepare you to apply a variety of sciences and modern analyses in the field. Our courses are technology-based and team-based, which will make you a well-rounded candidate for any job or graduate program you pursue.

students doing archaeology

Curriculum & Courses

Sample Course Offerings

ARTH 220: Egyptian Art and Archaeology
ARTH 222: Archaeology of Death in the Ancient Middle East
HIST 206: Historical Archaeology

Two students sift material from an archaeological dig on a large screen.

What Makes Roanoke Different?

Roanoke College is the only college in Virginia that offers a program in archaeological sciences.

Learn By Doing

Experiencing Egypt

View of waterfront with sailboat in distance

Serena Soterakopoulos '18 and Jacob Friedrich '19, student ceramic research assistants, traveled to Elephantine Island, Egypt, for five weeks. They dove into the rich archaeological history while exploring the current vibrancy of the Egyptian culture.
White buildings rise over the horizon

Serena Soterakopoulos '18 and Jacob Friedrich '19, student ceramic research assistants, traveled to Elephantine Island, Egypt, for five weeks. They dove into the rich archaeological history while exploring the current vibrancy of the Egyptian culture.
A professor and two students hold ceramic pottery while posing for a picture

Serena Soterakopoulos '18 and Jacob Friedrich '19, student ceramic research assistants, traveled to Elephantine Island, Egypt, for five weeks. They dove into the rich archaeological history while exploring the current vibrancy of the Egyptian culture.
Two sailboats glide across the water

Serena Soterakopoulos '18 and Jacob Friedrich '19, student ceramic research assistants, traveled to Elephantine Island, Egypt, for five weeks. They dove into the rich archaeological history while exploring the current vibrancy of the Egyptian culture.
A student leans over her work station with a swivel lamp shining overhead

Serena Soterakopoulos '18 and Jacob Friedrich '19, student ceramic research assistants, traveled to Elephantine Island, Egypt, for five weeks. They dove into the rich archaeological history while exploring the current vibrancy of the Egyptian culture.
A student sifts through items at his work station

Serena Soterakopoulos '18 and Jacob Friedrich '19, student ceramic research assistants, traveled to Elephantine Island, Egypt, for five weeks. They dove into the rich archaeological history while exploring the current vibrancy of the Egyptian culture.

Research brings ancient queen’s garments back to life

Young woman wearing ancient-looking gown

When taking Dr. Leslie Warden’s Archaeology of Death class, Bella Moritz '22 became fascinated with the Sumerian queen Pu-abi. Moritz, an art history major, made it her mission to make a costume based on Pu-abi’s funerary garments. She received a Summer Scholars grant and researched the archaeological process conducted at the site of Ur, where Pu-abi’s remains were found.

Moritz explored the interactions between the materials and textiles based on archaeological evidence and completed her reconstruction of Pu-abi’s funerary garments. She wore them during History Homecoming and they went on display at Fintel Library during the 2021-22 academic year.

“I never dreamed that I would accomplish a project of this magnitude while still an undergraduate,” Moritz said. “Roanoke offers such unique opportunities for learning and exploration for undergraduate students.”

The research helped point Moritz on a professional path as well.

“Conducting this project also helped me realize that I was really passionate about the history of dress, and it inspired me to pursue a masters and a career in the museum world, specifically looking at the conservation of historical garments,” Moritz said.

> Related: Moritz '22 designs museum exhibition at Fashion Institute of Technology

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Interested in studying archaeological sciences at Roanoke College?

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When it comes to archaeological education in Virginia, Roanoke College is leading the way. As the only college in the state that offers an Archeological Sciences program, we’ll prepare you to apply a variety of sciences and modern analyses in the field. Our courses are technology-based and team-based, which will make you a well-rounded candidate for any job or graduate program you pursue.

Archaeological Sciences is inherently interdisciplinary as it combines biology, chemistry, computer science, art history, anthropology and more, so it goes perfectly with a number of majors and minors. You’ll develop skills that graduate schools are looking for, including hands-on lab skills, critical thinking, and the ability to collaborate and work across multiple disciplines. The concentration culminates in an individual archaeological sciences project, allowing you to focus on your interests and build close relationships with faculty.

We offer a concentration in Archaeological Sciences.