Recognizing the importance of Cyprus, Türkiye, Europe, and Asia in the fields of archaeology and art history, the Archaeology and History of Art Undergraduate Program was first launched in 1997 under the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, within the Department of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Originally offered in English, the program will transition to Turkish as the language of instruction as of the 2025–2026 Academic Year.
General Information
The Archaeology and History of Art Program provides a broad, interdisciplinary perspective by integrating modern theoretical and methodological frameworks in areas such as archaeology, art history, archaeometry, museum studies, conservation and restoration, urban archaeology, cultural heritage management, anthropology, ancient languages, art curation, and auction practices.
Cultural assets are reviewed as a unified whole, examined through the lens of multiple academic disciplines to explore the cultures and values created by humanity. Throughout their undergraduate studies, students are encouraged to develop into knowledgeable professionals with critical thinking abilities and a creative mindset.
Our department offers its students insights into civilizations that lived in various geographical regions, and they can choose to specialize in either Archaeology or Art History according to their interests.
Education
With a faculty composed of academics from various educational disciplines and schools of thought, the Archaeology and History of Art program offers not only a structured educational framework but also a rich blend of scientific and cultural perspectives. The program is fundamentally built on a student-focused approach to teaching and learning.
The department embraces an educational approach that prioritizes analytical thinking, innovation, and responsiveness to scientific advancements, steering away from rote memorization. Beyond educating students, the program places strong emphasis on research activities. To support this, we host conferences and seminars featuring prominent guest speakers from both Türkiye and Europe, and we engage in practical fieldwork. Courses are further enhanced through archaeological excursions and museum visits. Students are also encouraged to take part in research projects, enabling them to gain valuable experience in their chosen areas and helping them shape their academic and professional outlook.
Facilities
Our program is part of Eastern Mediterranean University, situated in the city of Famagusta on a contemporary campus designed to fulfill the needs of students. The campus provides various amenities including transportation, housing, dining, and social facilities. Furthermore, the university features a fully equipped library within the campus. Among the key social hubs are student clubs, including the Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Club.
Utilizing modern methodologies, the program integrates both theoretic and practical learning. Physical infrastructure and equipment necessary for laboratory and field studies are available. The university hosts several specialized centers and labs, including chemistry and physics labs, the Center for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (AKVAM), the Eastern Mediterranean Cultural Heritage Research Center (DAKMAR), and the EMU-DAKMAR Kral Tepesi Conservation and Restoration Laboratory. These facilities offer practical education in areas such as archaeometry and conservation. Additionally, students can engage in summer fieldwork activities like excavations and surface surveys, including underwater archaeology, or undertake internships at museums, art galleries, auction houses, and restoration and conservation workshops
Career Opportunities
Students who graduate from the Archaeology and History of Art program can pursue master’s degrees, either with or without thesis, in Urban Archaeology and Management of Cultural Heritage offered by the department. They also have the option to further their master’s or doctoral studies at top universities in Türkiye, Europe, America, and Canada, allowing them to expand and diversify their career opportunities.
Graduates have a wide range of career opportunities. They can pursue postgraduate studies and become academics, or they can become teachers by completing teacher training courses at various universities.
Archaeology and History of Art graduates have the opportunity to work in various public institutions across Türkiye, including museums and conservation committees under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the General Directorate of Foundations, the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, the General Directorate of Highways, the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language, and History, as well as regional governorships and municipalities. Beyond public sector roles, they can also find positions in libraries, archives, private museums, architecture and restoration companies, art galleries, cultural centers, and archaeological excavations. Their professional roles may include archaeologists, art historians, curators, auction house directors, and art advisors, offering a broad spectrum of career paths.
In Cyprus, graduates have the opportunity to work within the Department of Antiquities and Museums, including associated museum, excavation, and restoration units, as well as governmental departments such as Highways, Environmental Protection, Urban Planning, and Tourism Planning. They can also provide consultancy services to the bi-communal Cultural Heritage Technical Committee operating under the Presidency of the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus. Moreover, graduates may serve on the bi-communal Technical Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and can be involved in cultural heritage initiatives within the Ministry of National Education.
Contact
Tel: +90 392 630 1208
E-mail: bulent.kizilduman@emu.edu.tr
Web: http://fas.emu.edu.tr