Imagine unearthing an ancient hieroglyph, a concealed underground temple or a rare papyrus. What could be more thrilling? Well, imagine turning the pages of history upside down because that’s the true pioneering potential of archaeologists. The study of Ancient Egypt and the Near East is concerned with the cultures and interactions of the Egyptians and other Near Eastern cultures, Greeks and Romans, as well as the origins of Judaism and Christianity. 

This specialisation covers a broad range of topics including Ancient Egypt, Ancient Israel, Ancient Persia and Ancient Mesopotamia, as well as methodologies, museum studies, literature, art and society. It includes a full study of Egyptology from the predynastic to Coptic periods. You’ll learn to demonstrate evidence-based knowledge, concepts and practical approaches relevant to the languages and cultures of Ancient Egypt and the Near East for a range of audiences, as well as an awareness and respect for contemporary cultural perspectives and practices. And the transferable skills you’ll develop in research and critical reasoning, as you seek to solve complex historical problems, will help set you up for a future in archaeology, museums, research, mining or tourism.

Key Features

• You’ll learn to contextualise and synthesise a broad body of historical information and issues relevant to the cultures of Ancient Egypt and the Near East. 
• Learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom – you’ll have the chance to kickstart your career and put your new skills into practice as you undertake a PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) project relevant to archaeology and culture, with opportunities to travel overseas. 
• The transferable workplace skills and experience you’ll acquire in this specialisation will prepare you for a diverse range of careers. 
• Participation in international archaeological excavations and surveys in Croatia, Egypt, Israel and Italy, in addition to local or international internships, will enhance your employment prospects. 
• You’ll conduct field and lab activities in our on-campus simulated archaeological site, as well as in our fieldwork lab. 
• The study of ancient artefacts, including papyri, inscriptions, ceramics and coins, is fully integrated into this specialisation through the resources of our Museum of Ancient Cultures.  
• You’ll have opportunities to pursue your own research interests.  
• Macquarie is ranked in the top five in Australia for arts and humanities (Best Global Universities, US News & World Report, 2018) and in the top 100 in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018). 
• Macquarie is ranked number one in Sydney for overall student experience and for teaching quality and learning resources in humanities, culture and social sciences (QILT, 2017).

• Archaeological field director 
• Archaeological field technician 
• Archaeological lab technician 
• Archaeological surveyor 
• Cartographer 
• Collections manager 
• Computer specialist in archaeology 
• Cultural heritage consultant 
• Cultural resource specialist 
• Educator 
• Librarian 
• Mining company consultant 
• Museum curator 
• Museum education officer 
• Museum technician 
• Museum/gallery curator 
• Museum/gallery exhibition officer 
• National park ranger 
• Preservation officer 
• Researcher 
• Science-related professions 
• Tourism officer
• Archaeology consultancies 
• Cultural heritage organisations 
• Libraries  
• Mining companies 
• Museums and galleries 
• Parks and wildlife 
• Tourism organisations 
• Universities