The University of Pavia offers the master’s degree course “Ancient Mediterranean World: History, Archaeology and Art”, a two-year English language master that will enable the students to explore the past from a wide historical and archaeological perspective.
Pavia University has a long and distinguished history of Mediterranean studies. We provide a unique quality teaching in small groups which will enable you to develop first hand expertise with artefacts and historical documents (including papyri and inscriptions).
The course offers enrolled students the opportunity to acquire advanced disciplinary, methodological, and operational skills on the field of Italian, European, and Mediterranean basin history and archaeology, from Prehistory to the Middle Ages, with knowledge of both traditional research methods and new technologies in the sector. Particular attention will be given to the development of skills in the use of various sources, including archaeological, historical, and technical, as well as providing in-depth knowledge in the areas of legislation related to archaeological heritage, protection, conservation, musealization, management, and enhancement of cultural heritage.
The student also has the opportunity to further their education by engaging in fieldwork experiences, through participation in excavations, research projects, internships in institutions and museums, and training placements. In this way, they will learn the working methods of the historian and the archaeologist in the field and gain the skills and independence necessary for entering the professional world.
The city of Pavia is located in a territory surrounded by world-class prehistoric, Roman and medieval heritage and by several Museums with historic Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman collections. The course makes full use of our rich archaeological landscape, including regular study trips and fieldwork opportunities (archaeological excavations, surveys and Museums labs). Archaeological projects are active in Pavia and the Po Valley, aiming to involve and enhance the archaeology of the region.
Professors and researchers of our University run surveys and excavations also in other parts of Italy, including two UNESCO world heritage sites (Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli and Dos dell’Arca prehistoric settlement in Valle Camonica, both). The archaeologists of our University work also in the Near East, with ongoing projects in Türkiye and Siria.
Moreover, the University of Pavia has signed official agreements in order to promote the study of ancient civilisations with several national and international Institutions: New York University – ISAW, the Egyptian Museum of Turin, the SABAP NO-VC-VCO and SABAP Città Metropolitana di Milano, Villa Adriana-Villa d’Este at Tivoli, Rome.
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Throughout the course, you will have opportunities to engage with our research in the Mediterranean World, considered through archaeology and history in a unique perspective, combining written documents and material and artistic culture of all the civilisations facing the Mediterranean from the 2nd millennium to the Middle Ages.
The programme includes the study of Ancient Near East, Egyptology, Proto-history of the Italian Peninsula, Greek, Etruscan and Roman history and archaeology, archaeology of Magna Graecia and Medieval archaeology.
The course offers also an extensive programme of invited speakers, visiting Professors from several Italian and international Universities and collaborate deeply with the Italian Archaeological Service: our existing agreements include possibilities of several internships.
As a demonstration of our commitment, our Department was recognised as a Department of Excellence 2018-2022 with an award by the Italian Ministry of Education.
The program is taught in English. We encourage our Students to learn Italian, once in Pavia, using the facilities on campus (lab and courses), in order to join the stimulating life in an Italian historical city as Pavia through its University, taking advantage of all the cultural opportunities offered by the territory.
The master’s degree course is based in the historic San Tommaso Building (brochure), located at the heart of Pavia. The students have full access to the Library of Humanistic Studies in the San Tommaso Building, one of the richest Libraries in Northern Italy, containing dedicated study spaces, reading rooms and IT facilities. Students are also entitled to an interlibrary loan allowance to support their studies.
Master students will have full access to the facilities on campus in Pavia and also to other Italian libraries and archaeological collections, thanks to the Pavia University Libraries’ System and Museums Services.