Master Archaeology of the Ancient World • Department of History and Cultural Studies

Applications for autumn 2023 will open 15th April 2023; the deadline is 15th August 2023. (No applications beyond the deadline!)

Our program

Archaeology of the Ancient World (MAAAW as abbreviation for Master Archaeology of the Ancient World) is a two-year, full-time master’s program taught in English.

It brings together three disciplines – Prehistoric archaeology, the Near Eastern archaeology and Classical archaeology – to approach the past of North Africa, Southwest Asia and Europe via a multi-focus perspective.

The program introduces you to the past of a part of the world that has seen the most intense processes of transformation as well as the most abundant intercultural and inter-society contacts within the last ten thousand years. And for learning about - and in the end contributing to - our knowledge of this past you will get to know theoretical skills in how to treat texts and opinions as well as proficiency in handling artefacts and dealing with data.

As a consecutive program MAAAW builds on knowledge about the past from the fields of archaelogy, history and cultural anthropology that have been acquired in the course of a bachelor program or through professional qualification.

The master's program is, as standard in Germany, tuition-free for all students, irrespective of their country of origin.

Why study the Ancient World?

The Past is the archive of humanity‘s experiences. And archaeology – because of its scientific approach – is the most unbiased way to learn about those experiences: from how people adapted to environmental change to how aesthetics mirrored intercultural contact; from how samples and observations can reflect a long gone world to how we can approach past immaterial aspects via the study of material culture today. Do you like to learn thinking in long term perspectives, evaluate inferences from silent sources and discerning statements based on arguments from mere narratives?

How about combining a library expertise with a practical excavation skill? Or scrutinizing tiny artefacts with the same rigour as comprehending whole city plans? Archaeology teaches you to really look at and think about things, big and small, appealing or gross – and consider the human behind.

Can you prove excellent English language skills (at least level C1 CEFR)?

Do you hold a bachelor's degree with at least 60 credit points in courses related to the History and Archaeology of the Ancient World?

Then you want to study the MAAAW program.

Apply here with a degree from Germany (FUB portal)

Apply here with a degree from a country other than Germany (uni-assist)

Seven more reasons to study here

Go beyond disciplinary borders

The program has a genuine area studies profile: A unique breadth of subject related to archaeology and the ancient world comes together under the roof of the Department of History and Cultural Studies. As a student in this program, you gain access to an extensive academic and professional network, connect with fellow students from related master’s program, and network with internationally acclaimed scholar from the three participating disciplines

Department of History and Cultural Studies

Gain profession and research experience

The program allows you to learn about and participate in ongoing research in the fields of Archaeology or to gain professional experience through an internship. This is your opportunity to expand your skills in a wide field of activities ranging from cultural and archaeological institutions to publishing houses, excavations and NGOs.

The career servive supports your internship endeavors.

Career Service

Become part of an international network

In the past ten year the Freie Universität has expanded its excellent international network of teaching and research, e.g., through its liaison office in Cairo and by establishing strategic partnerships.

Explore Berlin, academic and otherwise

Berlin as a location offers a unique network of scholarly and cultural institutions related to the world of the Classical and Near Easter Antique, such as the Vorderasiatisches Museum, Antikensammlung Berlin, Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin Preußischer Kulturbesitz with its world-famous manuscript collection, the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, ….

And beyond that, there is always non-academic berlin

Take the chance and learn German

Good German language skills not only help during your stay in Germany during your studies; they also enrich your personal profile. German courses starting at level A2 are available free of charge at Freie Universität for all international students of master programs taught in English. So if you already know a bit of German, you may take the chance to improve your German language skills while studying our master's program.

Sprachzentrum

News

Calendar

Contact

Direct all your inquiries to the program's coordinator Georg Roth via ma-aaw@geschkult.fu-berlin.de.

Please note: We will not answer MAAAW-related emails sent to our individual personal mail addresses. MAAAW-related emails must be sent to the email address specified above.

For letter post use:

MA Archaeology of the Ancient World (MAAAW)

Dr. Georg Roth

Institut für Prähistorische Archäologie

Department of History and Cultural Studies

Fabeckstraße 23/25

14195 Berlin