Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture

Experimental archaeology can be defined as the reconstruction of past buildings, technologies, things and environmental contexts so as to enable a better understanding of the character and role of materiality and material culture in peoples lives.



It may also involve innovative, experiential interrogations of past lifeways and material culture, so as to explore and understand how people interact with each other and the world.



UCD School of Archaeology has a growing momentum and international reputation in experimental archaeology and material culture studies. Students of the GDip in Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture will be integrated into UCD School of Archaeology’s European and global experimental archaeological and museum networks, particularly through Prof Aidan O’Sullivan’s Board Membership of EXARC, the ICOMOS-affiliated worldwide network of AOAMs and experimental archaeologists.



UCD School of Archaeology is ranked in the top 100 QS subject rankings worldwide in 2024

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

ARCH41170 Material Culture Autumn 10

ARCH41180 Experimental Archaeology: Making, Understanding, Storytelling Autumn 10

ARCH40850 Practical Experimental Archaeology Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:

Students must select at least 20 credits from the Level 4 modules listed below.

ARCH41240 Heritage Management Challenges Autumn 10

ARCH41250 Nature & Culture: A bridge Autumn 10

ARCH41310 Land / Landscape Autumn 10

ARCH41270 Archaeological Field Methods Spring 10

ARCH41340 GIS, Cultural Heritage and Spatial Thinking Spring 10

ARCH41410 Presenting & Managing Heritage Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR:

Students MAY select a maximum of 10 credits from Level 3 modules in List B&C below (if not previously taken).

ARCH30500 Experiment Archaeology & Ancient Technologies Autumn 5

ARCH30920 Communicating Archaeology Autumn 5

ARCH31000 Archaeology, People and Cultures in Extreme Environments Spring 10

ARCH31030 Archaeology of Communities Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - C)0 of:

Students MAY select a maximum of 10 credits from Level 3 modules in List B&C (if not previously taken). Due to capacity restrictions, registration for ARCH31010 is not available online - if you wish to take this module please contact the School of Archaeology using this Google Form.

ARCH31010 Human Osteoarchaeology Autumn 10

Minimum Academic Criteria



A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelors in Archaeology/Anthropology or a cognate area with a minimum 2.2 (NFQ Level 8 ) or international equivalent is required. Candidates from cognate disciplines (e.g. History, Classics, Art History, Geography, etc) will have demonstrated previous experience and/or awareness of Archaeological or Experimental Archaeological methods and thought, by attending during their primary degree a number of Archaeology modules and/or working for a period on an Archaeological Excavation and/or working in a Museum, or Open-Air Museum. Previous academic education and/or experience in aspects of Crafts and/or Material Culture Studies will also be considered by the School. The School would reserve the right to assessing the extent and quality of such previous studies and experience. Applicants are required to submit original academic transcripts.



Additional Essential Criteria



A statement outlining the applicant's previous experience in Archaeology,, and/or cognate disciplines and the reasons for pursuing the degree, and the reasons why UCD is being chosen. Every applicant should complete this part of the application which should be approximately 300-500 words. Applicants whose first language is not English are also required to submit evidence of their English Language proficiency. It is expected that applicants will normally have reached on overall 7.0 in IELTS or equivalent. Foreign Language documentation must be accompanied by an official translation. If applicants are unable to provide final transcripts or any other required documentation by the closing date, they should contact the School directly by e-mail prior to this date.



References



For non UCD students and for UCD students who have not yet completed their Undergraduate degree, TWO references must accompany your application: one MUST be academic from the institution where your primary degree was awarded; the second reference can either be academic or from a professional employer in archaeology or from a cognate profession.



Please submit, or have your referees submit, a copy of a reference on your behalf via the Student Desk connector or email it to documentverification@ucd.ie

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Commencing September 2025

Graduates may progress to careers in further research (e.g. PhD), in academia, state or commercial archaeology, in cultural heritage studies, in education and public outreach, in traditional and archaeological open-air museums, in cultural tourism and heritage

management, amongst many other options.



Further research, whether academic or professional



Professional archaeological practice



Museums, Living History and re-enactment



Communicating heritage



Heritage and education policy and practice