Major Scientific Fields: Prehistory – Protohistory and Near Eastern Archaeology – Classical Archaeology
The Department of Archaeology was established within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in the same year that Hitit University was founded on March 17, 2006. The department currently hosts a total of 10 academic staff members across its Major Scientific Fields: Prehistory, Protohistory and Near Eastern Archaeology, and Classical Archaeology. Our department commenced its educational activities in the 2011-2012 academic year and graduated its first students in 2015. In addition to the existing Master's program, a Ph.D. Program was also launched in the department as of the 2022-2023 academic term.
The Department of Archaeology, which is comprised of the scientific branches of Prehistory (Prehistoric Archaeology), Protohistory and Near Eastern Archaeology, and Classical Archaeology, is a discipline that investigates and examines the developmental process of humanity, starting from its earliest phases and extending to Late Antiquity. Archaeology presents itself as an active scholarly endeavor that studies the past, which possesses a temporal and spatial dimensionand is verifiable through tangible findings. This fundamental distinction, in particular, sets archaeology apart from other social sciences that focus on human history, such as history, linguistics, social anthropology, and sociology.
The Department of Archaeology at our university holds a significant role in understanding, conserving, creating a sense of responsibility for, and transmitting the cultural heritage of the city it is situated in to future generations. The Ortaköy-Şapinuva Excavation, one of the city's important cultural heritage sites, has been continuing as a Hitit University excavation project since the 2019 season. Furthermore, our faculty members serve as Deputy Heads of Excavation in various excavation projects located in Niğde, Mersin, Karabük, Antalya, and Şanlıurfa. Additionally, a scientific surface survey project is being conducted in the province of Karabük by one of our academic staff. All these projects ensure the participation of our students in excavations and surveys, providing them with opportunities to gain practical experience in the field. Moreover, all other academic staff members in our department actively participate in excavations and research conducted in various regions across the country every year as Deputy Heads of Excavation or Team Membersduring the field and research seasons.
A compulsory internship is implemented within our department, requiring our students to intern at archaeological excavations, surface surveys, and museums. This is aimed at ensuring they develop practical skills in addition to the theoretical knowledge acquired through their formal education coursework.
