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Anthropology (BS) - Archaeology

About

Archaeology is the scientific study of the unwritten record of the human past. This record consists of artifacts, human remains, garbage, ruins, and archaeological sites and landscapes spanning the past three million years. Studying the prehistoric and historic human past through archaeology provides the foundation for understanding and celebrating our culturally and biologically diverse species.

Archaeologists also manage and protect archeological resources by working in state and national parks or at historic sites. Most archaeologists in the U.S. are employed in cultural resource management to ensure the preservation of archaeological evidence under threat by modern development and land use. Appalachian’s archaeology program stands out as the one in North Carolina that trains students for cultural resource management.

Students’ experience in Appalachian’s archaeology program includes departmental field experiences, opportunities to conduct research alongside faculty and present findings at regional and national conferences, working with state-of-the-art lab equipment, and working as research assistants and teaching assistants.

After Graduation

Employment: Many graduates of this degree have gone on to become professors of archaeology, or are working as archaeologists across the southeastern United States. Alumni also work for federal and state agencies including: the N.C. Department of Transportation, the N.C. Office of State Archaeology, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and private cultural resource management companies such as Alexander Archaeological Consultants, Inc. See more

Graduate Schools: University of Florida, College of London, University of Colorado, University of Georgia. See more

Career Exploration website

People

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Thomas Whyte
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Thomas Whyte

    “What leads any of us into the practice of archaeology is simply an insatiable curiosity about the human past and how humans have become what they are today.”

    - Dr. Thomas Whyte, professor of archaeology

    Meet more faculty

  • Student Profile: Autumn Melby
    Student Profile: Autumn Melby

    Autumn began volunteering in a professor’s research lab during her freshman year, which she feels will give her an advantage when applying to graduate schools.

  • Alumnus Profile: Dr. David Kilby ’92
    Alumnus Profile: Dr. David Kilby ’92

    Now an assistant professor at Eastern New Mexico University, Kilby worked in contract archaeology throughout the United States as well as Mexico, Costa Rica and Guam while pursuing his graduate degrees.

    See more alumni accomplishments

  • Alumnus Profile: Joshua Goodwin ’14
    Alumnus Profile: Joshua Goodwin ’14

    This 2014 graduate is now working on his PhD at the University of Florida, studying material remains of pre-Columbian peoples of southeastern North America.

    See more alumni accomplishments

Courses

Students are required to take core anthropology and archeology classes covering cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archeological theory and field archeology.

Students must also complete courses in statistics, geology, a specific geographic area of archeological study, plus laboratory courses and a senior capstone course.

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Anthropology (BA) - Social Practice and Sustainability
  • Anthropology (BA) - Sociocultural Anthropology
  • Anthropology (BS) - Biological Anthropology
  • Anthropology (BS)

Minors

A minor is optional. Recommended minors include:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • History
  • Physics

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Appalachian State University Anthropology Club – ASUAC works to cultivate and advance interest in anthropological ideas, research, and the understanding of cross-cultural and multidisciplinary relationships.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

The Department of Anthropology regularly offers field schools in Ecuador, Costa Rica and Wales, as well as areas of North America.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Why Appalachian?

  • Appalachian archaeology students are required to take a field archeology course. This can include a field experience at one of Appalachian’s field schools.
  • Appalachian’s archaeology program focuses on cultural resource management training.  Students are recruited by cultural resource management firms across the Southeast.  
  • Department of Anthropology students are known for their ability to analyze complex cultural and social situations, and find employment in many fields, including marketing, research and development, community and international development, law, higher education, and more.
  • The department houses state-of-the-art lab equipment, including a 3D scanner and metallurgical and stereo microscopes.
  • The department houses large vertebrate and human osteological comparative collection as well as archaeological research collections from excavations of prehistoric and historic sites in western North Carolina and adjacent regions.
  • Students are often given graduate-level research assistantships or teaching assistantships at an undergraduate level. This gives students the opportunity to gain publication and practical experience with faculty members.
  • Faculty members have received prestigious fellowships from the Fulbright Program, National Science Foundation and Princeton University to pursue their research.
  • The department offers scholarships and awards.

Number of Students

Approximately 50, with more than 150 majors in the Department of Anthropology

Method of Delivery

On campus, option of visiting a field school

Careers

  • Archaeologist
  • Archivist
  • Art Conservator
  • Collections Manager
  • College Professor
  • Forensic Anthropologist
  • Field Archaeologist
  • Museum Education Director
  • Museum Curator/Technician
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs Researcher
  • Cultural Resource Manager

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Anthropology

Dr. Timothy J. Smith
Chair
smithtj2@appstate.edu
828-262-8473

  • Department of Anthropology

    The Department of Anthropology offers a comparative and holistic approach to the study of the human experience. The anthropological perspective provides a broad understanding of the origins as well as the meaning of physical and cultural diversity in the world – past, present and future.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 16 academic departments, two academic programs, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 86 majors offered
    • 5,850 undergraduate majors
    • Over 450 full-time faculty members
    • 36,500 living alumni
    • 74% of research grants applied for by undergraduate and graduate students in the 2015-16 academic year received funding
    • 56% of funded travel grants applied for by undergraduate and graduate students in the 2015-16 academic year received funding
    • Undergraduate internships have been conducted in 28 international countries and more than 30 U.S. states in the last 4 years

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated admissions program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 11 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

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