Archaeology
Archaeology is an incredibly broad subject, ranging from the study of art and languages to social theories and archaeological science techniques such as ancient DNA analysis. Archaeologists look at the whole sweep of human history, excavating sites to recover evidence that tells us about ancient diets, rituals, symbolic systems, and much more. Archaeology is a flexible course that allows you to build a broad knowledge of a range of subjects or to specialise from your first year. The course includes practical work in various aspects of archaeology and most students participate in fieldwork during their undergraduate years. More information about the course can be found on the .
Archaeology at Murray Edwards
Archaeology is a relatively small subject: at Murray Edwards we typically admit one Archaeology student a year. However, the opportunity to take papers from related courses such as Classics, or Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) means you will often study with students from other disciplines. We work hard to build relationships with other Colleges, particularly the nearby ‘Colleges on the Hill’, and there are many opportunities to meet and work together with the wider Cambridge Archaeology cohort.
Meet our alumnae
Evie Carter
"I love the inclusive and supportive environment of Murray Edwards, and I have great memories of my time in college. As the archaeology intake at Cambridge is usually a small cohort, the sociable environment of Murray Edwards was really valuable and I made lifelong friends in college. My Director of Studies provided fantastic academic and pastoral support, helping me to manage my workload, encouraging me to explore my interests through exhibitions and fieldwork, and recommending employment opportunities at the end of my degree.
Through the Archaeology tripos I discovered an interest in archaeological science and genetics, and I decided to take the biological anthropology track in my Part II studies. The course set me up with practical and academic skills, which have enabled me to explore different career options. Since graduating, I have worked as a field archaeologist in the commercial archaeology sector, and have now begun my PhD in the field of human population genetics, which has given me the incredible opportunity to travel to Madagascar for my fieldwork. I really enjoy being part of a collaborative research group and I hope to continue a career in academia or in teaching in the future."
Dr Camilla Zeviani
"Studying for my MPhil and PhD in Archaeology at Murray Edwards was an incredibly formative experience, both academically and personally. The college provided a supportive and intellectually vibrant environment, where I found not only excellent mentorship but also a strong community of women pushing boundaries in their fields. I appreciated how Archaeology at Cambridge encourages interdisciplinary thinking—drawing on science, history, theory, and fieldwork—and I felt empowered to pursue my own ideas with confidence. The college’s encouragement of women in research and leadership continues to shape how I approach my own work today.
I’m currently a postdoctoral researcher in Germany, working on a project comparing settlement patterns and territorial organisation in Iron Age Europe and the Mediterranean. I combine archaeological data, landscape modelling and GIS to better understand past human-landscape interactions. I love the mix of research, fieldwork and collaboration across disciplines. Looking ahead, I see myself continuing in academia, ideally leading my own research project".
Meet our academics
Professor Caroline Ann Tuke Malone
Visiting Professor in Archaeology
