Welcome to the Department of Archaeology at Bilkent University
Our Department of Archaeology offers both undergraduate (B.A.) and graduate (M.A.) degrees, providing a comprehensive education in the interdisciplinary archaeology of Anatolia and western Asia.
The department’s core curriculum includes period-specific courses covering the Palaeolithic through Medieval periods, and combines them with specialist classes on archaeological theory, digital humanities, materials studies, fieldwork methodologies and public archaeology. Our team of specialists, who are all active researchers, help students explore the material remains of the many peoples that have populated and passed through this dynamic geography, providing a stimulating insight into how we continue to learn about and interpret the past.
Students are offered hands-on experience through fieldwork internships and lab-based studies, and our comprehensive approach to archaeology and its complementary disciplines in the humanities, social and natural sciences ensures that our graduates are well prepared for the world of modern archaeological practice.
Small class sizes offer students a warm sense of community, an ideal environment for learning and self-development.
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Bilkent University Archaeology Department Visits the Ancient City of Aphrodisias
During the weekend of April 26–27, undergraduate and graduate students from Bilkent University’s Department of Archaeology, together with faculty members, embarked on an enriching excursion to the ancient city of Aphrodisias, located in Geyre, Aydın Province. They were accompanied by Rector Prof. Kürşat Aydoğan, Provost Prof. Orhan Aytür, and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Letters, Prof. Simon Wigley.
The group had the rare opportunity to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site under the expert guidance of Prof. R.R.R. Smith, the director of excavations at Aphrodisias. Prof. Smith led an in-depth tour of the remarkably well-preserved ruins, highlighting the city’s historical significance as a major center for sculpture and learning in the Roman period.
Participants were able to admire some of the spectacular marble sculptures and sarcophagi produced by the city’s famed workshops. Throughout the visit, Prof. Smith provided fascinating insights into the artistic, cultural, and political life of ancient Aphrodisias, offering students and faculty a deeper appreciation of the ongoing archaeological research and conservation efforts at the site.
The trip provided a valuable opportunity for experiential learning, allowing participants to engage directly with one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey, and to deepen their understanding of the ancient world beyond the classroom.
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