Scientific techniques for analysing the material traces of human culture have become indispensable to archaeological practice. The Master’s programme Archaeology and Natural Sciences – unique in Switzerland – responds directly to this development. It integrates the teaching of scientific methods with the questions, theories, and approaches of Egyptology, Classical Archaeology, as well as Prehistoric and Provincial Roman Archaeology. This interdisciplinary fusion of cultural history and natural sciences introduces students to a collaborative research culture and cultivates cross-disciplinary thinking and working.

The program prepares students for professional archaeological work grounded in solid expertise in Archaeological Sciences and interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition to practical training, it promotes a holistic research perspective in the spirit of integrative archaeology. Disciplinary strengths include:

• Archaeological Sciences (especially archaeobotany, archaeozoology, geoarchaeology, and archaeological anthropology)
• Egyptology
• Classical Archaeology
• Prehistoric and Provincial Roman Archaeology

The curriculum consists of modules in Archaeological Sciences and modules from one of the three specialisations: Egyptology, Classical Archaeology, or Prehistoric and Provincial Roman Archaeology. The elective and profiling component draws on the full breadth of courses offered in the Master’s programs in Archaeology and Natural Sciences and in the Study of Ancient Civilisations. It serves to consolidate existing knowledge in Archaeological Sciences and enables students to deepen and broaden their expertise in the ancient world, allowing for a flexible and individual academic profile.

A key element of this profiling is the Master’s project, ideally designed to bridge disciplines and methodologies. It comprises an internship and a subsequent project report. The Master’s degree program concludes with an interdisciplinary Master’s thesis and the final examination.