Celtic & Viking Archaeology

Why this degree?

      Archaeology at Glasgow has a well-established reputation for innovative studies in Celtic and Viking Archaeology particularly in northern and western Britain. This course will offer an introduction to the theoretical and practical approaches to early medieval archaeology, with a wide range of research-led optional modules available, both in archaeology and cognate subjects, which encourage in-depth critical examination of a range of themes. You will receive hands-on experience with internationally renowned and research-active specialists in the Early Medieval period—Dr. Colleen Batey (Viking and Late Norse), Professor Stephen Driscoll and Dr. Ewan Campbell (Celtic and Early Historic). A major part of this hands-on experience will involve interacting with and experiencing the archaeological remains of the early Medieval period via fieldtrips to major sites in Lowland Scotland, such Inchmahome Priory, Govan, Dunadd Hillfort, and Dumbarton Castle. Additionally, visits to major Museum collections, such Glasgow Museums, The Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University and the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh allows for the in depth examination of, and engagement with, the material culture of the Early Medieval Period in Scotland.

       Moreover, the opportunity for excavation experience during your period of PGT study is available via Glasgow Archaeology’s Strathearn Environs and Royal Forteviot (SERF) field school in rural Perthshire, which examines the Early Medieval Period as one of its key research focuses. Additionally, our focus at the Postgraduate Taught level on small group teaching enables more personal interaction, and the support of individual student interests, as well as providing access to academic networks and heritage stakeholders beyond Glasgow University, to the broad research environment of the Early Medieval Period. This is coupled with our interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research, which is supported by strong links with scholars in the subject areas of Celtic and Gaelic, and Scottish and Medieval History, links which are reflected in many jointly taught courses. Cognate areas of study, most particularly to be found with the Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies, can also be included and allow access to a wide range of research specialists of international standing. The new approaches to early medieval studies developed at Glasgow bring fresh insights into the life and ideas of the period and provide a highly stimulating environment for postgraduate students, who will be exposed to the developing work of internationally-renowned scholars.

       The Archaeology Subject has particular research strengths in the settlement archaeology and material culture of Celtic, Pictish and Viking peoples and in the archaeology of kingship and political development, and you will be exposed to some of the most cutting edge research on the Early Medieval Period in Scotland. From your PGT experience during the Celtic and Viking Mlitt you will develop a range of professional and personal connections, and have a firm and thorough understanding of the Celtic, Pictish and Viking peoples, and their contributions and place in the narrative of Scotland’s political and cultural development. On this foundation you will be able to build a multiplicity of career options, either in academia by moving onto PhD studies—as many past Celtic and Viking PGTs have—or into a career with heritage bodies, such as the National Museum of Scotland, or commercial work with various archaeological units. Furthermore, on the social side, during your time studying at Glasgow, you’ll find that the Postgraduate community in Archaeology is very welcoming and inclusive to students of all academic backgrounds and interests; you’ll always have the support of a community of researchers.

If you have an interest in Celts, Vikings, and Picts, and the shifting tapestry of change that makes up the Early Medieval Period, and you want to explore and deepen this interest working under the guidance and supervision of experienced, renowned, and respected scholars, then you've found your place.

Finally, and MOST OF ALL, we wish you all to feel welcome in Glasgow “the Dear Green Place” of the Gaelic language and in our subject area in particular.

Dr Colleen Batey  BA (Dunelm),

PhD (Dunelm), MIFA, FSA, FSA Scot

Convenor MLitt in Celtic and Viking Archaeology