Program in Mediterranean Art & Archaeology

Program Deadlines (PDF)>

The Art Department sponsors a specialized graduate Program in Mediterranean Art and Archaeology, leading to the Ph.D degree. Founded in the 1980s, this interdisciplinary program aims to foster a thorough acquaintance with Greek and Roman visual and material cultures, it also allows students to acquire a broad understanding of ancient Mediterranean culture. Reading knowledge of Greek and Latin is encouraged, and competency in relevant modern languages is required. Students typically work closely with faculty in other departments such as Anthropology, Classics, History, or Religious Studies. All incoming students in archaeology are required to participate in the Classics “pro-seminar” during the Fall of their first year. Course work may also be taken in a relevant post-classical period, such as Medieval or Renaissance. The program is currently administered by the joint graduate Program in Art and Architectural History.

At an appropriate stage in their graduate study, students in the program will also participate in archaeological field work. Recent students have worked at a variety of sites in Greece, including the Athenian AgoraMt. Lykaion, and Molyvoti (Thace); in Italy at Pompeii and Cosa, in Sicily at Morgantina and Kamarina; as well as at surveys and excavations in Israel, Cyprus, Russia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Fieldwork will also form a key research component for most students in relation to their dissertation research and writing.  

The curriculum is determined by the student's preparation, interests, and needs. Course work for the Ph.D. should be concentrated in the appropriate area of specialization in ancient art, material culture, or the built environment, as well as in the student’s research field and period. The Ph.D. examinations in the area of specialization takes place after the completion of course requirements.  

The core program instructors and advisors are Tyler Jo Smith and Fotini Kondyli, while students may also work with Anastasia Dakouri-HildKate Kreindler, or another faculty member on special topics. Students in the program are encouraged to take courses, where appropriate with faculty in based in Anthropology, History, Art History, and Architectural History, and to acquire an appropriate digital archaeology skillset. Most Mediterranean Archaeology graduate students become involved as members, officers, and participants in local events of the Archaeological Institute of America Charlottesville Society and in the Archaeology Brown Bag series.  

To find out more about archaeological research and projects at UVA, visit the Archaeology page

For information about the Mediterranean Art & Archaeology program contact Professor Tyler Jo Smith, Coordinator.