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Major & Minor
Earn a BA degree or take coursework in Archaeology, Technology, and Historical Structures (ATHS).
Senior Projects
ATHS student research covers a range of topics, from water-driven manufacturing in Upstate New York to structural analysis of Gothic cathedrals.
Lectures
ATHS regularly hosts faculty and speakers from around the world during the academic year.
Featured Courses—Fall 2026
Check out some of our featured courses for the upcoming fall 2026 semester. See our fall term schedule page for a full list of courses and their descriptions.
Who Owns the Past? Archaeology, Museums and Politics
ATHS 169 | AHST 169
As debates over statues and museum independence show, historical objects and sites shape modern identities and politics. This course explores ownership, protection, and presentation of cultural heritage, asking who defines significance, presentation, and ethical responsibility.
The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Theatre
CLST 235 | ATHS 280
Examines Greek and Roman theatre through material evidence—figurines, frescoes, mosaics, and structures—using interdisciplinary methods. Students gain knowledge of ancient drama, skills in linking texts and objects, and insight into theatre’s lasting artistic influence.
The Engineering of Bridges
ME 104 | EAS 104
Introduces bridge design through engineering challenges across history. Students study forces, materials, and structural behavior, using case studies and hands-on projects to design, build, and test bridges while learning mechanics, analysis, and optimization.
Ancient Sparta
CLST 118
Explores Spartan traditions and legacy through interdisciplinary evidence, including literature, art, customs, and history. Students examine social and political structures and Sparta’s reception from antiquity to today, gaining insight into its enduring relevance.
Introduction to the Art and Architecture of South Asia
ATHS 163 | AHST 148 | RELC 173
Surveys South Asian art and architecture from 2500 BCE to today. Students explore context, meaning, and visual analysis while developing skills in comparison, critical thinking, and research, gaining new perspectives on diverse cultural and religious traditions.
Introduction to Jewish Art
RELC 162 | JWST 162
Explores Jewish visual culture from antiquity to the present through artifacts like mosaics and manuscripts. Examines how Jewish artists engage with surrounding traditions and how art reflects cultural identity, adaptation, and reinterpretation over time.
ATHS Public Lecture
Science in Archaeology at Jamestown Rediscovery
Join the Archaeology, Technology, and Historical Structures Program on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at noon in the ME conference room, Hopeman 224 for a public lecture by Dr. David Givens, Director of Archaeology, Jamestown Rediscovery.
Sponsored by the Archaeology, Technology, and Historical Structures Program and the Departments of History, Religion and Classics, and Mechanical Engineering. Refreshments will be served.
Abstract
ATHS Feature Story
Professor Stefanie Bautista Releases Coedited Book—Quilcapampa: A Wari Enclave in Southern Peru
In the ninth century AD, settlers from the heartland of the Wari Empire founded Quilcapampa, a short-lived site overlooking the Sihuas River in southern Peru. The contributors to this volume present excavation and survey data from in and around Quilcapampa that challenge long-held models of both Wari statecraft and the mechanisms that engendered the widespread societal changes of the era.
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