Despite the challenging year in Israel, the University of Haifa’s School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures (SAMC) – continues to build on its renowned reputation as a global leader in academic research. The first of its kind to integrate the full scope of archaeological research on land, at sea and in the lab under one roof, SAMC has just launched its fourth international English-taught Master’s program focusing on Heritage Management.
Home to the largest community of archaeology researchers, state-of-the-art labs and seven prestigious grants from the European Research Council, SAMC is reshaping archaeology in an exceptionally unique combination of departments: Archaeology, Maritime Civilizations (underwater and coastal archaeology), Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Sciences.
“Our students benefit a unique academic advantage: a 360-degree exposure of all forms of archaeology: on land, underwater, heritage and science”, says Prof. Israel Finkelstein, head of SAMC. “In addition, our strong partnerships with the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) and leading universities abroad open unlimited research opportunities in a variety of archaeological fields.”
Preserving the Past for Future Generations
SAMC’s newest one-of-a-kind international 1-year Master’s program in Heritage Management offers a unique opportunity to bridge the past and future by preserving and managing local and global archaeological, historical and cultural legacies. “The program isn’t just a degree: it’s an experience, a community and a world view, aimed at addressing the need for skilled professionals to safeguard the world’s heritage treasures and tell their story to future generations “, says Program Head Dr. Shirly Ben-Dor Evian. “Practical training is a cornerstone of the program, with collaborations involving local and global heritage institutions providing real-world experience, such as UNESCO, ICOMOS, , Israel’s National Nature and Parks Authority, Israel Antiquities Authority and more. Our students gain unparalleled access to Israel’s diverse historical and archaeological sites that serve as living laboratories for their studies.”
The experiential-based curriculum includes hands-on field experience within a multidisciplinary approach for a profound understanding of technological, historical, educational, legal, business, public and cultural aspects of Heritage Management. Graduates of the program are equipped to build impactful careers in heritage management academic, educational and governmental sectors, contributing to the conservation of archaeological sites, historical collections, and cultural landscapes. “Our mission is to ensure that invaluable heritage assets in both Israel and around the world remain accessible and meaningful for future generations,” Ben-Dor Evian concludes.
Diving deep into underwater and coastal archaeology
While the archaeology of the Mediterranean is relatively well-established, underwater archaeology is still in its infancy – promising challenges and fascinating discoveries. SAMC’s globally renowned underwater research activities, individual or in collaboration with the Technion, the University of California in San Diego, the University of Padova and Ca’Foscari University in Italy, have revealed fascinating discoveries. Among them is one of SAMC’s mind-blowing flagship projects: the excavation and reconstruction of a 2,500 years old shipwreck, alongside a replica that students and researchers sail to explore and understand ancient seafaring.
“UHaifa International’s Master program in Maritime Civilizations is the only one of its kind in Israel that conducts underwater explorations along the Israeli coast – one of the largest concentrations of shipwrecks in the Mediterranean”, confirms Prof. Nimrod Marom – Head of the Department. “We offer students an exceptional opportunity to understand human-sea interactions in its broader sense, while bringing together different fields such as underwater and coastal archaeology, geology, geoarchaeology, history and ecology. Our historic sea level changes and coastal environments, from sunken Neolithic villages, Bronze and Iron Age anchorages and ship cargoes, Roman and Byzantine ports and shipwrecks, and medieval nautical activity”.
Field activities on sea and in the lab are an integral part of the program, including hands-on applied science, state of the art research methods and technologies, expeditions and under-water excavations. This also includes an intriguing seminar in shipbuilding, held in SAMCS designated lab for ship construction. Headed by Prof. Deborah Cvikel, the lab focuses on ship construction, seamanship and ship handling, based on underwater excavations and research of shipwrecks. Cvikel’s team is also engaged in discovery and conservation of waterlogged wood and organic material from the sea, alongside metal findings from shipwrecks.
“My time in Israel taught me much about underwater archaeology, the world and, crucially, how to embrace uncertainty”, says Nick Bowman, a Fulbright fellow graduate of UHaifa International. Regardless of Iron Swords, Bowman conducted research on interregional maritime connectivity between sites on the Israeli coast with other coastal settlements across the eastern Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age, and learned an important lesson in agility and adaptivity. “My advisor, Professor Assaf Yasur-Landau, often repeated “there is a war, but we try our best to do science in the meantime.” This is ultimately what came to define my time as a Fulbrighter at the University of Haifa”
The program is exclusively taught in English and can be completed in one year’s time, or can be extended for students who prefer to take the thesis track and pursue a research career. SAMC’s Department of Maritime Civilizations is home to some of the most exciting and high-profile underwater research projects funded by the European Research Council’s most prestigious research grants. The program’s graduates have enjoyed a broad range of career destinations in both academic research and professional roles in private and governmental sectors.
Digging into Archaeology
“Reconstructing human history way before written records existed is challenging, and demands state-of-the-art research tools, and a prime location. That’s precisely what we offer our students”, says Dr. Ron Shimelmitz, head of the Master’s Program in Archaeology. Shimelmitz is in fact referring to the University’s unique location on Mount Carmel, one of the world’s most dynamic centers of prehistoric research. Bridging between Europe, Asia, and Africa, this UNESCO World Heritage Site unravels record of over 500,000 years of human evolution, exposed in numerous unique caves, rock shelters and open-air sites.
“Mount Carmel is our exclusive natural lab, where students explore and literally dig into world-renown cave and open-air archaeological sites to understand evolutionary events. For example, how modern humans met Neanderthals, why nomadic hunter gatherers chose to settle down, and more” explains Shimelmitz. “We combine theory with unique courses and hands-on experience with fossil animal bones, stone tools, sediments and experimental archaeology. Our students study in small groups with personal mentoring by the best in the field”.
The international English-taught Master’s program can be completed in one year, or be extended within the thesis track. Graduates have pursued prestigious PhD programs at the University of Haifa and in Cambridge, Emory and Rice Universities, backed up by generous scholarships, or have secured positions in the public sector.
“Pursuing my Master’s degree in Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Haifa has been an incredible journey”, says Sofiia Rastorgueva from Moscow. I had the chance to take part in amazing excavations, where I worked with fantastic crews under excellent supervision. The program’s fascinating courses and supportive staff deepened my understanding of the southern Levant’s prehistory, both academically and in the field.”
Exploring Archaeological Sciences
Launched just last year, SAMC’s MSc Archaeological Sciences program is the first and only program in Israel offering a science-oriented approach to archaeology within a two-year English-taught thesis-based curriculum.
“Our main focus is on pushing the knowledge boundaries of ancient civilizations through advanced scientific methods”, says program head Prof. Ruth Shahack-Gross. Combining state-of-the-art technology with the extensive archaeological record of the country, students gain opportunities to cutting-edge research in collaboration with the Technion, and a comprehensive toolkit for versatile career paths.
Harry Bruce, currently pursuing this program, claims that the multidisciplinary scientific perspective combined with hands-on work in the field has been no less than eye-opening. “I am gaining unique research insights from the program, and participating in the Nahal Omer Textile Lab has improved my approach to documenting and analyzing artifacts in a more useful and productive manner”, he concludes.
Join the MultiExperience
International Masters programs offered by University of Haifa’s School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures (SAMC) are part of over 20 English taught programs offered by UHaifa International. Located in a multi-cultural city on top of Mount Carmel with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, the University of Haifa is Israel’s most diverse, sustainable, affordable and equal opportunity driven academic research center. It’s scholarship options and atmosphere of excellence, sustainability and diversity attract students from over 90 countries to a once in a lifetime opportunity of exploring new cultures, meeting people from all over the world and leveraging new knowledge to a competitive advantage.