About
Archaeology is the study of artifacts and other physical remains of earlier societies and communities in order to unravel the mysteries of human cultural diversity and adaptation. Archaeologists can reconstruct past human behaviours and life ways from tools, shelters, ornaments, food remnants, modified landscapes, and even human remains.
- Three or four year degree
- Full or part-time program
- You can enter this program directly from high school
- You can begin this program off-campus
What you will learn
The program focuses on the past peoples of western Canada and the broader Circumpolar North. You will have the opportunity to participate in the excavation of archaeological sites and will learn how to employ a wide variety of laboratory techniques. These include the analyses of artifacts and other archaeological materials such as human and non-human skeletal remains. You will learn how people interacted with past environments and how sociocultural explanations relevant to past human experiences are developed and tested. In sum, you will learn about how and why human behaviour has changed in the past in order to better understand human behavioural changes today and into the future.
A first-year schedule sample
This degree program is flexible and offers you the opportunity to take courses in many different subject areas. Here’s what a typical first-year schedule might look like:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
Fall Term |
|
| ANTH 111a | One World Many Peoples Introduction to Cultural Anthropology |
| ARCH 112a | The Human Journey Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology |
| BIOL 120a | Nature of Life |
| MATH 110b | Calculus I |
| HIST 125c | History Matters Indigenous Colonial and Post Colonial Histories |
Winter Term |
|
| ARCH 116a | Introduction to Near Eastern and Classical Archaeology |
| BIOL 121a | The Diversity of Life |
| GEOL 122a | Earth History |
| STAT 245b | Introduction to Statistical Methods |
| INDG 107d | Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies |
a Required or eligible course for the major.
b One of the course options to complete the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
c One of the course options to complete the English Language Writing Requirement
d One of the course options to complete the Indigenous Learning Requirement
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
ARCH 251: Introduction to Archaeological Interpretation
How do archaeologists reconstruct the lives of past peoples from the material remains they left behind? This course introduces the student to the methods, techniques and theoretical models used by archaeologists as they answer questions about our human past and the emergence of modern societies.
ARCH 353: Plains Archaeology
A survey of the prehistory of the Plains region of North America with emphasis on the recognition and examination of archaeological problems.
ARCH 472: Palaeopathology
The diagnosis and interpretation of disease in antiquity and the overall health status of earlier human populations. Although skeletal pathology will be emphasized, analysis of mummified tissues and ancient DNA will be included.
Hands-on experience
Students can take ARCH 361 – Archaeological Field Methods in the spring and summer terms and spend six weeks in the field working at an actual archaeological site.
Facilities
The Department of Anthropology is equipped with its own classrooms, study and computer labs, student lounge and library with a large and diverse collection specifically for teaching. Our professors are located just around the corner from the classrooms.
Careers
- Non-government and business sector, working for a range of private companies typically focused on:
- archaeological resource management
- heritage conservation
- environmental site assessments
- traditional land use studies
- urban planning
- Government sector, working for departments such as parks, highways, land management and cultural resources
- Education, as teachers, professors and researchers
- Museum and archives curator
Tuition estimates
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,919 | $38,328 |
| Student fees | $1,121 | $1,121 |
| Books | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Total | $10,540 | $40,949 |
Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay in your first year if you enroll in a full course load, the maximum number of courses allowed (2024-2025 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 per year.
Program options
These Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Archaeology degrees are offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science:
- Bachelor of Science Four-year
- Bachelor of Science Honours
- Bachelor of Science Double Honours
- Bachelor of Science Double Honours (Science Option)
You should consult with an academic advisor in the college when you begin your studies to decide if you want a four-year, three-year or honours degree.
Admission requirements and deadlines
Deadlines
Ready to apply?
A non-refundable application fee of $90 CAD is required before your application will be processed.
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