Subject

The subject pre- and protohistory/prehistoric archaeology deals with the archaeological sources and the reconstruction of Europe covering the period before writing was invented. This period stretches from the beginnings of human culture (Palaeolithic Period) to the later Stone and Metal Ages (Neolithic Period, Copper Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age) to the Roman and Early Medieval Periods.

The subject is clearly delimited geographically as well as methodically from other archaeological specialist fields such as classical archaeology of Graeco-Roman Antiquity, from Egyptology and from medieval archaeology. In Zurich, the teaching of the subject includes methodical and theoretical aspects as well as source studies and practical approaches.

Pre- and protohistory/prehistoric archaeology is a discipline in the field of cultural history with a strong orientation towards social and natural science. It has a vast number of interdisciplinary associates such as economical and social history, social studies, cultural anthropology, history of architecture, art history, linguistic research, environmental studies, geology, geography, anthropology, archaeobiology, archaeometry, experimental archaeology, computer science and management of cultural goods. Accordingly, the possibilities of subject combinations and further training are varied.

Remark

Auf das Wintersemester 2006/07 wurde an der Philosophischen Fakultät der gestufte Bachelor-Master-Studiengang gemäss Bologna-Reform eingeführt (siehe auch unter Anforderungen, Aufbau/ECTS und Abschlüsse).
Für Studierende im Lizentiatsstudium ändert sich vorderhand nichts. Sie haben jedoch die Möglichkeit, nach der Zwischenprüfung des Lizentiatsstudiums (in der Regel im 4. Semester) und erstmals per WS 07/08 in den Bachelor-Studiengang unter Anrechnung ihrer Leistungen zu wechseln.