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

Applications for autumn 2024 will open on April 15.

Our program

Archaeology of the Ancient World is a two-year, full-time Master’s program taught in English.

It brings together three disciplines – Prehistoric archaeology, Near Eastern archaeology and Classical archaeology – to approach the past of North Africa, Southwest Asia and Europe through 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 acquire theoretical skills in how to treat texts and opinions as well as practical skills 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 has 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. 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.

Would you like to learn how to think in long-term perspectives, evaluate inferences from silent sources and discerning statements based on arguments from mere narratives? How about combining library expertise with practical excavation skills? 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 beings behind them.

Do you possess 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 archaeology of the ancient world?

Then the MA AAW may be the right program for you.

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 at FU Berlin

Go beyond disciplinary borders

In this program, three disciplines dealing with a wide range of subjects related to archaeology and the ancient world are combined. As a student in this program, you gain access to an extensive academic and professional network, can connect with fellow students from related Master’s programs, and network with internationally acclaimed scholars from the three participating disciplines.

Department of History and Cultural Studies

Connect across institutions

The program cultivates cooperations across departments and universities in Berlin and beyond. The participating institutes have existing collaborations with several museums as well as the German Archaeological Institute.

Master Archaeology of the Ancient World

Tailor your program

The program not only provides you with a sold methodological basis for interdisciplinary work, it distinguishes itself through its flexibility and a broad range of electives. This allows you to tailor your curriculum to your personal interests and career aspirations within an interdisciplinary context.

Master Archaeology of the Ancient World

Gain professional and research experience

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

The career service supports your internship endeavors.

Career Service

Become part of an international network

Freie Universität has an excellent international network of teaching and research, including a liaison office in Cairo and strategic partnerships.

Explore Berlin, academic and otherwise

Berlin as a location offers a unique array of scholarly and cultural institutions related to the archaeology and the ancient world, 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, the German Archaeological Institute and the open-air museum in Düppel.
Beyond that, Berlin has much to offer in terms of culture and - with its city parks - nature.

Take the opportunity to learn German

Good German language skills not only help during your stay in Germany for the Master's program; 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.

Sprachzentrum

Contact

Direct all your inquiries to the program's coordinator Maaike Groot 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. Maaike Groot

Institut für Prähistorische Archäologie

Department of History and Cultural Studies

Fabeckstraße 23/25

14195 Berlin