In spite of its small size, few colleges have contributed so much to Archaeology as Peterhouse. Professor Grahame Clarke, the pre-eminent prehistorian of his generation who defined new approaches to economic prehistory, was Master here. Dr. David Clarke’s work set the theoretical agenda for the 1970s and 1980s. Archaeology at Peterhouse today is represented by Professor John Robb, whose research encompasses European prehistory, social theory, art and material culture, and human skeletal studies. Peterhouse welcomes applications from students interested in any aspect of Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and the Ancient Near East. Our students are encouraged to participate in the research process, and college support is available to help them do so.
Archaeology
Archaeology covers a huge range of topics, spanning the evolution of humans through the development of farming, ancient high civilisations, the colonial world of history, the role of material culture in human life and the role of heritage in modern culture and life. Students can follow many streams – Archaeology (covering all world cultures), Biological Anthropology, and specialist studies on Ancient Near Eastern civilisations.
With the Division of Archaeology and the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, Cambridge is one of the largest centres of archaeological research in Britain, and we have recently been awarded top place in the Good University Guide for Archaeology in the UK. For more information on the course, see the Division of Archaeology's website for prospective students. A relevant reading list, which may be of interest to prospective Archaeologists, is included on the HSPS page.