Faculty of Humanities | Department of Archaeology

Last Updated: 19/10/2026

Our department, which aims to train archaeologists, began its educational activities under the Department of Classical Archaeology during the 1993–1994 academic year. Since 1998, it has continued its education as the Department of Archaeology. The department comprises the divisions of Prehistory, Protohistory and Near Eastern Archaeology, and Classical Archaeology. Since its establishment, in addition to educational activities, the department’s faculty members have been conducting excavations, surface surveys, and museum research across various regions of Turkey at different dates, both for academic purposes and to provide internship opportunities for students. Faculty members of our department currently direct excavations at Yazılıkaya/Midas Kale, Dorylaion (Şarhöyük), and Pessinus (Ballıhisar) in Eskişehir, as well as the Side Excavations in Antalya. Furthermore, a new surface survey project has been underway in the surrounding area of the Ancient City of Side since 2025.Past excavation projects directed by our faculty members include the Eskişehir Kanlıtaş Höyük excavations (2013–2017), the Konya Çatalhöyük excavations (2020–2024), the Eskişehir Çavlum Bronze Age Necropolis (completed in 2003), and the Theatre and Hurmalık Bath excavations in Patara, Antalya (completed in 2009).In addition, faculty members and students from our department actively participate in major excavations conducted across Turkey—in collaboration with domestic and international universities and research centers-including Arykanda, Aphrodisias, Çatalhöyük, Ephesos, Perge, Pessinus, Kelenderis, Kültepe, Limyra, Nysa, Olympos, Tarsus, Teos, Tieum, and Zeugma.Faculty members have also conducted surface surveys in Eskişehir, Kütahya, and Afyon; at Karahöyük (Midaion) and Kanlıtaş Höyük; in the Yazılıkaya/Midas Valley of Eskişehir; and within the Seyitgazi district of Eskişehir. Research focusing on numismatics, glass, and metal artifacts is actively carried out in the Antalya, Eskişehir, Isparta, Uşak, and Side Archaeology Museums.The program includes compulsory courses in Prehistory, Protohistory and Near Eastern Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, and Museology. In addition, students are offered professional elective courses in these fields, along with general electives according to their personal interests.

Admission to the programme is based on the relevant higher education legislation and the central placement procedures administered by the Centre for Assessment, Selection and Placement (ÖSYM). Candidates who are offered a place in the programme must complete their registration within the deadlines announced in the University's academic calendar and registration announcements, in accordance with the applicable legislation. To complete final registration, candidates must satisfy all general and programme-specific admission requirements. Admission through horizontal transfer is conducted in accordance with the relevant legislation and the principles established by the relevant academic unit. The application and admission procedures for international students are carried out in accordance with the applicable legislation.

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the relevant higher education legislation, the University's regulations governing education, examinations and assessment, and the institutional principles for exemption and credit transfer. Students may apply, within the specified deadlines, for exemption and credit transfer based on courses successfully completed at another higher education institution or on equivalent prior learning. Applications are evaluated by the relevant board or commission with due consideration of course content, credit/ECTS values, grades obtained, and their compatibility with the curriculum and learning outcomes of the relevant programme.
The students are exempt from their obligatory foreign language courses if they have a score of 60 or above in the centralized exemption exam administered at the beginning of the academic year or its accepted equivalence of CC or above.

All students enrolled at Anadolu University are assigned a faculty academic advisor to provide guidance and support throughout their studies. Academic advisors offer counselling from the beginning of the student's academic programme until graduation, assisting students with academic, administrative, and other matters related to university life. In particular, advisors provide guidance during course registration and course selection processes, monitor students' academic progress, and support them in making informed decisions regarding their educational pathways.
For further information, please refer to the Academic Advising Directive of Anadolu University.

The programme is delivered in face-to-face / blended mode. Students are enrolled on the programme as (full-time / part-time) students. Teaching and learning activities are conducted in accordance with the programme curriculum, including the semester structure, scheduled class hours, practical components, and, where applicable, online learning environments.

A variety of assessment methods such as mid-term(s), assignment(s), exercise(s), project(s), practice(s), and a final exam are implemented in the programme. Assessment methods may include classical test(s), multiple-choice test(s), homework(s), performance evaluation(s), and product evaluation(s). In order to graduate from the programme, cumulative GPA must be minimum 2.00. A course grade is constituted by evaluating the above stated elements and given by using letters. Letter grades and their associated coefficients are as follows;

Grade	Coefficient
AA	4,0
AB	3,7
BA	3,3
BB	3,0
BC	2,7
CB	2,3
CC	2,0
CD	1,7
DC	1,3
DD	1,0
FF	0,0

A student is required to successfully complete the designated program of courses meet a minimum of 240 ECTS credit requirement and have a minimum GPA of 2.00/4.00 and no FF, DZ or YZ grades.

To be awarded a Bachelor's Degree, students must successfully complete all compulsory and elective courses specified in the curriculum of the programme in which they are enrolled, together with any required internship, practical training, project, or other academic requirements. To qualify for graduation, students must successfully complete at least 240 ECTS credits, have no failed courses, achieve the minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) specified in the relevant regulations (at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale), and fulfil all other graduation requirements prescribed by the programme.

Students who successfully fulfil all programme requirements are awarded a Bachelor's Degree Diploma in Department of Archaeology Graduates obtain a Level 6 (Bachelor's Degree) qualification within the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF).

Archaeology graduates can be employed as academicians at several archaeology departments across Turkey and abroad, if they meet the requirements necessary to be able to apply for a position. Our graduates, after getting the necessary scores from KPSS exam, can be employed at various departments of The Ministery of Turkish Culture and Tourism, such as Museums General Directorate, Council of Monuments, Cultural and Natural Heritage Conservation Board, as well as in numerous museums all across Turkey. Similarly, they could be employed at Municipalities, Governor’s Office and other government units like State Hydraulic Works. Furthermore, a large number of archaeologists have been employed in rescue excavations by large scale construction projects, such as BOTAŞ and Marmaray. Increasing numbers of private museums and research institutes in Turkey also employ archaeologists. Sometimes, publishing houses and journals publishing in the field of archaeology employ archaeologists. If the archaeology graduates have a good command of foreign languages, after taking training from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, they can be employed as professional licensed tourist guides. Also several other branches of tourism sector prefer employing archaeologists.

Graduates of the programme are eligible to apply for Master's Degree programmes (with or without a thesis) in accordance with the relevant legislation governing graduate education and the admission requirements of the receiving higher education institution.


PROF. DR. RAHŞAN TAMSÜ POLAT
ASSOC. PROF. DR. SERAP AKCA
ASSIST. PROF. DR. VOLKAN ÖZTEKİN
PROF. DR. HANDAN ÜSTÜNDAĞ
PROF. DR. RİFAT ESER KORTANOĞLU
PROF. DR. MAHMUT BİLGE BAŞTÜRK