Department of Prehistoric and Historical Archaeology
We explore the global human past through its material remains—from the Stone Age to the present day—with a particular focus on Austrian, European and Western Asian archaeology. Our research combines remote sensing, fieldwork, laboratory analyses, and theoretical approaches to uncover past ways of life.
The focus ranges from cultural and social anthropological to economic historical issues; with a focus on the development and interpretation of material culture. Other areas of expertise include landscape archaeology, archaeological prospection, modern excavation methods, theoretical foundations for the interpretation of archaeological evidence, and interdisciplinary work using scientific methods.
The department comprises facilities such as an aerial photo archive, photo and restoration workshops, an extensive study collection, and a specialized library. Today, it is one of the largest in the German-speaking world, with 300 bachelor's and 140 master's students as well as 30 doctoral candidates.
The course of study of prehistory and historical archaeology is broad, practical, and prepares students for careers in monument preservation offices, museums, university and non-university research institutions, and contract archaeology. It imparts in-depth knowledge of all periods of human history, theory, and methodology, as well as an understanding of long-term social, economic, and cultural-political processes—and invites students to discover archaeology as a living science.
