Archaeology: East and West

Location: Palazzo Corigliano
Coordinator: Prof. Anna Filigenzi
Admission: Open access. For admission requirements and procedures, please refer to the link.
Language: Italian

The Second-level Degree Program in Archaeology: East and West offers students a comprehensive cultural and methodological education in archaeological research, with a broad focus on both the Mediterranean and the Eastern areas. The program is structured into four curricula, allowing students to acquire specific skills in their chosen area across historical, archaeological, linguistic, literary, and technical fields:

1. Classical Archaeologies

2. Classical Literatures and Cultures

3. Egypt and the Ancient Near East

4. India, Central and East Asia

For full details, visit the Course Catalog.

To view the program regulations, visit the page.

The program focuses on two main areas of learning: the classical world and Greco-Roman civilization—explored within a broader Mediterranean and Eastern context—and Eastern archaeologies, with opportunities for area-specific specialization ranging from North and Northeast Africa to the Near, Middle, and Far East. These Eastern fields are likewise contextualized within the Mediterranean sphere.

The program includes four curricula, each corresponding to a specific area of research at the University and to well-established domains in archaeological studies. These are designed to prepare graduates with wide-ranging competencies, as required by the LM-2 degree class in Archaeology.

The first two curricula focus on the Western sphere (Classical Archaeologies, and Classical Literatures and Cultures) and offer study paths dedicated to cultures and historical periods that fall under the aegis of classical antiquity. The first – Classical Archaeologies - is  centered on archaeology, supported by the rich classical resources of the DAAM (Department of Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean); the second – Classical Literatures and Cultures - offers students with an appropriate background, a path with combines archaeological research tools with advanced philological inquiry.

The other two curricula are devoted to the Eastern sphere - Egypt and the Ancient Near East and  India, Central and East Asia. These are built on the University’s long-standing orientalist tradition and structured coherently from archaeological, historical, and linguistic perspectives.

Each curriculum ensures that graduates attain the same core knowledge and skills, though through different pathways. The structure also takes into account the diverse academic backgrounds of incoming students, who may already have pursued study areas aligned with the different curricula.

Special attention has been given to offering relevant history and language courses, which students can include in their personal academic plan. Oriental languages and Arabic are integrated into the training of future archaeologists specializing in Eastern contexts, while classical languages and literatures are available for those focusing on classical archaeology. Regardless of the chosen curriculum, students may also study European languages such as German, French, and Spanish to enhance the international dimension of their archaeological training. Proficiency in English — essential for communicating in academic and scientific contexts — is among the requirements for admission to the program.

A rich selection of “supplementary and related subjects” is available, fully aligned with both general and specific program goals, enabling students to create original and highly individualized learning paths.

Through advanced study of the core disciplines, on-site learning at archaeological sites and museums, active participation in seminars and fieldwork (in Italy and abroad), and internships with institutions involved in the management and protection of Italian and foreign cultural heritage, students will develop:

• in-depth knowledge in historical, archaeological, and art-historical fields;
• advanced research skills in archaeological investigation techniques, material analysis and classification, site study, and general theoretical and interpretive frameworks;
• technical, scientific, and legal competence relevant to the protection, management, and enhancement of cultural heritage;
• the ability to critically reflect on acquired knowledge and interpret data and research findings independently;
• skills in working with ancient written sources;
• practical abilities related to archaeological project organization and management.

Graduates of the program will be equipped with the experience and knowledge required to enter the job market — as specialists in archaeological and museum heritage — often in roles involving high levels of responsibility and leadership, within both public and private institutions engaged in research, conservation, management, and promotion of archaeological heritage.

The degree prepares graduates for careers as archaeologists, technical editors, curators, and museum conservators. More broadly, it offers a solid foundation for professional activities related to the enhancement of archaeological and cultural heritage.

Finally, graduates will possess a rigorous academic background suited for admission to Specialization courses in Archaeology and PhD programs in archaeological and historical fields — whether with an Eastern or Western focus.