Objectives
The primary objective of the Master’s Degree Programme in Mediterranean Archaeology is to deepen the knowledge acquired during undergraduate studies, with particular emphasis on the development of methodologies and skills that enable a critical approach to individual archaeological data, properly classified.
The programme also aims to develop independent research skills in connection with international scholarly debate.
Specific objectives include the acquisition not only of individual technical and scientific knowledge, but also of adequate professional competencies related to the cultures of the Mediterranean world, from prehistory to the Middle Ages.
Among the educational goals of the programme is also the enhancement of students’ strictly archaeological training through the integration of knowledge in art history, museology, linguistics and literature, history, paleoanthropology, bioarchaeology, and applied computer science in archaeology.
The curriculum is structured to provide students with comprehensive training in archaeology, history, methodologies, and field activities.
The two-year structure is organized as follows:
First year: focuses on prehistoric, historical, and cultural training related to the Mediterranean context, developed through specific themes examined diachronically. Particular attention is given to socio-economic and historical studies, as well as to cultural processes, events, traditions, and human activities.
Second year: is mainly devoted to specific cultural and chronological areas, as well as technical and scientific aspects. Special attention is given to Eastern archaeologies, particularly Phoenician-Punic and Islamic archaeology.
Additional training activities (AAF), including fieldwork in excavation sites, archaeological parks, museums, and laboratories, are offered in both years in combination with coursework.
During the first year, within the core activities, students attend courses in archaeology and classical and medieval antiquities, as well as technical, scientific, and legal training with a thematic and interdisciplinary approach. Already in the first year, students may participate (within AAF, 18 ECTS credits) in archaeological excavations in Italy (e.g., Monte Croce Guardia, Cencelle, Pyrgi, Rome, Lavinium, Peltuinum, Coppa Nevigata, Mozia, Cannatello) and abroad (e.g., Arslantepe–Malatya, Elaiussa Sebaste, Paikuli, Tel Zurghul, Northern Sahara, Eritrea, Ethiopia), as well as in other European and non-European Paleolithic sites. They may also take part in laboratory and research activities at institutions such as MUCIV, the museum site of La Polledrara di Cecanibbio, the Casal de’ Pazzi Museum, the Pofi Museum, and heritage institutions in Basilicata.
During the second year, within the core activities, students deepen key topics in Mediterranean archaeology.
Within related and supplementary activities, students may further develop knowledge in historical, methodological, and technical-scientific fields, with particular attention again to Eastern archaeologies, especially Phoenician-Punic and Islamic contexts.
Finally, the final examination consists of the preparation of a written thesis, in which the student applies the knowledge acquired throughout the programme to a topic chosen in agreement with a supervisor.
The programme regulations define, in compliance with legal requirements, the proportion of total study time allocated to independent study and other individual learning activities.