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Archaeology studies the materially and visually determinable culture of those who lived in the past. As a discipline, "Classical Archaeology" specializes within this broad field on ancient Greek, Etruscan, and Roman times. Its aim is to place the surviving evidence of these times into a cultural and historical context, and thus to give us a greater understanding of our own culture.
It covers the entire geographical spread of these cultures at the various ages of history: Primarily what are now Greece, Italy and Turkey, but also the entire Mediterranean region and, at times, other parts of the Near East and Europe. The period studied ranges from the Bronze Age (3,000 – 2,000 BC) in Greece to Late Antiquity (400 – 500 AD). The subjects covered encompass the full spectrum of material witness to the past: Settlements and the environment, buildings and graves, with their furnishings, finds associated with social life and religious cults, and works of fine art.
The Monte Iato Excavation
The University of Zurich Classical Archaeology Division has been conducting excavations on Monte Iato, in the province of Palermo on Sicily, since 1971.
The site is approximately 30 kilometers by car south-west of Palermo, above the towns of San Cipirello and San Giuseppe Iato. Having been occupied for a long period, Monte Iato is one of the most interesting sites in western Sicily. The town that is being excavated was known as IAITAS in Greek and IETAS in its Latin form, with the GIATO form of the name used in the Middle Ages. Annual digs are held each June.
Subjects, Objectives, and Emphasis
At the University of Zurich we teach the core fields of Greek and Roman archaeology. Everyday student life includes field trips to museums and archaeological sites in Switzerland and abroad, and students are involved in ongoing excavations at an early stage. With the Department's own museum of antiquities and a comprehensive collection of plaster casts of ancient sculptures, Zurich is the perfect location for practical training with hands-on experience.
Classical archeology can be studied at bachelor's and master's level as either a major or minor subject.
