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Posted by luna_dragon (U2841126) on Thursday, 6th April 2006
I was just wondering if anyone knows what A levels you need to do to do Archaeology at university as I am intending to be an Archaelogist when I get older. Thanks!
I got intothe University of Southampton with B-B-C (A-level grades); you didn't need anything in particular, though obviously having studied similar subjects (like History, Classics, Archaeology A-level) may be advantageous in the most basic sense.
i was always told that to have a science was best.
Chemistry being the most obvious for the practice of dating historical objects
Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography and of course Archaeology
I would say, apart from the obvious like History and Classics, a science and a language are pretty important.
The science depends on what branch of archaeology you want to specialise in, e.g. biology will be more usful if you want to study environmental archaeology, and chemistry would be good if you want to be a dating specialist or archaeometallurgist. Even if you don't have a speciality in mind yet, you won't go wrong with a science.
Also, take a language like French or German - handy for foreign digs, and a lot of academic writing is not written in English, so a reading knowledge of one or two European languages will serve you well.
It kind of depends on what area you want to specialise in. Physics, bio or chemistry on the science side, but i got in to UCL with Geography, History and Economics. But rememeber that you might go in a fan of pre-history, and end up looking a med. bodies all the time, so be open to what you might end up liking. BTW - If you like the Romans, latins Ok, but Germans better (I don't have either!).
I do ancient history and archaeology at Birmingham and did history, geography and english language at a level. Geography was advantageous but the way we are lectured not knowing any geography or geology is no major drawback. And im doing environmental archaeology at the moment with no biology behind me and not finding it much of a hindrance
though with a chance i would have done a science at a level
If you do it as a mature student, ie over 21, then you don't need any formal qualifications at all. In terms of A levels I'd suggest science and history.
Thanks to everyone who replied to my message. I will take all of your advice into account when I pick my A levels next year.
luna_dragon (used to be potter_babe)
geology is great, because you learn geography as well as earth materials, riverine and coastal ecology, etc. i only noticed one erson recommend it; is it not typically offered in british schools?
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