Archaeology of the Caribbean and Amazonia

Specialisation of: Archaeology
Degree: Master of Arts in Archaeology
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60805
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Archaeological fieldwork is combined with the study of historical documents and the documentation of the oral tradition. Teaching is inspired by ongoing research projects based on excavations and surveys in the Caribbean area and analysis of material remains.

Research/PhD

A few master’s students can become eligible for a research master’s programme in preparation for a possible PhD research position. Strict selection criteria apply here. Apart from carrying out their own research, PhD students are expected to follow the education programme of a research school such as the Research School for Archaeology (ARCHON) or CNWS. They also have modest teaching obligations, such as being in charge of a seminar based on their own research project.

If you have an interest in research, please see the research master’s in Archaeology webpage.

PhD candidate

Alice Samson, PhD

“I work with a large team of Dutch, other European and Caribbean colleagues, and regularly have the opportunity to put together workshops and symposia.”

“I’d always thought archaeology was the ideal combination of an applied, engaged and human-centred science, and that’s been borne out in the experiences and opportunities I’ve had in Leiden; firstly during my MA in European prehistory, and now with my colleagues in the Caribbean Research Group.

I first came to Leiden 5 years ago to ‘metamorphose’ into an archaeologist by following the MA programme. In this time I gained a basis in theoretical and methodological approaches, found an archaeological community, and excavated with the in-house archaeological company ARCHOL. Before coming to Leiden, I thought that after my MA, I would emerge from my chrysalis into a job in developer funded archaeology in my home country, Britain. But with the confidence and enthusiasm engendered by my MA experience, I applied for a PhD and stayed. Now I’m in the third year of my PhD in Caribbean archaeology. My research concentrates on the settlement archaeology of the pre-Hispanic Dominican Republic. But more than this, I work with a large team of Dutch, other European and Caribbean colleagues, and regularly have the opportunity to put together workshops and symposia and other projects.

If I had a word of advice it would be; if you take initiative, you will get support.”

Integration of Education and Research

Interested in Research?

Consider the two-year Research Master’s in Archaeology