4 Archaeology MA Degree Programs in Asia

The Institute of Archaeology and the Rothberg School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem invites students from all over the world to study the history and culture of the Land of the Bible, in the Bronze and Iron Ages, through archaeology, text, and ancient languages. The rich program incorporates both studies in the classroom and in the field, as the students are required to participate in major excavations and surveys conducted by top researchers of the Institute.

The Hebrew University’s MA in Archaeology & the Ancient Near East – Prehistory Section tackles these questions and more, exploring the evolutionary, genetic, and cultural forces that shaped early human history. From the earliest stone tools of the Paleolithic to the agricultural revolutions of the Neolithic, the program provides a deep dive into the prehistoric era—before the advent of writing—when humans first developed the technologies, behaviors, and adaptations that set the stage for civilization.

Although the archaeology program, which was established in 1988, is relatively new, its faculty have a wealth of research and education experience from the “old days” of the national history faculty. The faculty has two full-time members: Professor Shinya Fukunaga and Professor Teruhiko Takahashi. Japanese archaeology is the focus of research and study, but the course also offers faculty members and graduate students various opportunities to conduct fieldwork surveys overseas and to explore a wide range of comparative archaeological perspectives.

The program focuses on the prehistory and paleoenvironment of the Mount Carmel region and each student can choose to specialize in one of many relevant topics, such as lithic, faunal, geological and palynological studies.