These notes describe the admissions procedure and the teaching of Archaeology and Anthropology at Queens', and should be read in conjunction with the relevant sections of the Cambridge University Undergraduate Prospectus.

Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge offers students a broad introduction to the study of humankind across time and space, followed by more specialised study in one aspect of the Tripos – in Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, or Social Anthropology.  These disciplines have their own individual focus:  Archaeology is concerned with the study of past human societies and modes of life through their material remains; Biological Anthropology explores questions of the human condition and evolution from a biological perspective; and Social Anthropology is concerned with questions of politics, social organisation, culture and meaning in the contemporary world.  This is a course, then, that attracts a wide range of students, from those with an existing or developing interest in archaeology and ancient societies to those with an interest in questions of human ecology or global development; from those interested in the analysis of political or religious issues in the global context to those interested in combining an interest in biology with the study of humankind.

Most students start the Archaeology and Anthropology Tripos with no previous knowledge of the subject.  The course is however both intellectually demanding and rigorous.  Intending students are therefore strongly advised to read one or more of the texts listed at the end of this sheet before making a choice.  There are no specific A-level subjects required to read Archaeology and Anthropology - recent candidates have offered mainstream A-level subjects such as History, English, Geography, Mathematics, Biology or Languages.  A typical A-level offer from Queens' would be in the region of three `A' grades, but each offer is made to take account of individual circumstances.  In addition Queens' is prepared to consider applications from candidates taking examinations broadly equivalent to the A-levels e.g. the International Baccalaureate.

Due to the relatively small number of students studying Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge there are usually only a few students studying this subject at each College.  Queens' typically has two or three undergraduates reading Archaeology and Anthropology at any one time.  Our Director of Studies is Dr Sue Benson who is a Fellow of New Hall and an affiliated Lecturer in Social Anthropology. 

In common with most Cambridge courses it is possible to transfer into and out of the Archaeology and Anthropology Tripos after Part I or at the end of the second year - that is, after Part IIA.  Typical combinations might include Archaeology and Anthropology with English, History, Social and Political Sciences or vice versa.

For further information about the course you can view the Faculty’s website on www.archanth.cam.ac.uk

January 2004