Classics and Archaeology
Classics and Archaeology research environment
The Classics and Archaeology program is one of the leading international centres for the study of the ancient world. Staff in the program are involved in ground breaking research projects, many of which are funded by the Australian Research Council. Current projects range from fieldwork and archaeological surveys to the development of award-winning multimedia study resources. The program offers access to world-class research facilities such as the classics and archaeology collection at the Ian Potter Museum of Art.
Staff expertise ranges from the analysis of material artefacts to the study of ancient texts and culture and their theoretical and methodological implications. The published work of our staff reflects these research strengths as does the current research undertaken by graduates within the program. Read through the sections for more information.
Research orientations
The Classics and Archaeology program embraces and seeks to advance the broad study of the Mediterranean including classical Greece and Rome, the Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations of prehistoric Greece, as well as Egypt, the Near East, and the fringe of the Eurasian steppes (including central Asia) from the origins of settled life (c. 10,000 BCE) to the Late Antique period (5th century CE). Within this vast, but interconnected region, the program maintains continuity and coherence by emphasising the role of overlapping periods and shared border zones in the development of cultures and civilizations. The program also encourages a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to the ancient world through our engagement in the study of ancient languages (Greek, Latin, Akkadian, Egyptian, and Syriac) and/or texts in translation including myth, literature, history, religion, and philosophy as well as with the study of material culture (archaeological remains, art, and architectural monuments).
Although each staff member is involved in particular research projects, we are a community of scholars united by our research interests in the study of identity (gender and ethnic), archaeological and anthropological theory, the archaeology, history, prehistory, study of great transitional periods in the regions noted above, architecture, colonization and migration, historiography, ethnography, ancient ceramics, collections and heritage management, and many other themes.
The Classics and Archaeology program is one of the leading international centres for the study of the ancient world. Research in the program is groud-breaking with staff involved in a number of projects, many of which are funded by the Australian Research Council. Current projects range from fieldwork and archaeological surveys to the development of award-winning multimedia study resources.
Research facilities
The Classics and Archaeology Library
The Classics and Archaeology program has a library of about 10,000 books that include Classical texts, dictionaries and works of reference. There is also a large Archaeology collection, which includes a number of rare periodicals and excavation reports on Classical, near Eastern and Egyptian archaeology.
Classics and Archaeology Library information
Archaeology Laboratory
Equipped with microscopes, drawing facilities and an archaeological study collection, the laboratory is used for practical classes. It is also available to graduates for their research.
Location: The Archaeology Laboratory is located in Rooms 224 and 225 in Old Arts (Building 149)
The Classics and Archaeology Collection in the Ian Potter Museum of Art
Researchers in the program have the unique advantage of drawing upon the University's Classics and Archaeology Collection.
Location: The collection is located at The Ian Potter Museum of Art.