Study Archaeology & History of the Bible, IN the Land of the Bible

 

The International MA in Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures at Tel Aviv University lets you study archaeology abroad in the one country where prehistoric, biblical, classical, and Near Eastern archaeology all sit side by side in the ground.

 

Taught entirely in English and completed in one year, this master's in archaeology pairs classroom study with hands-on fieldwork at active excavations, so international students finish with documented digging, lab, and research experience.

 

Program Overview

 

The program puts students at the forefront of archaeological, historical, and bible studies. Whether your focus is biblical archaeology, prehistory, or archaeological science, you will train at Tel Aviv University's Institute of Archaeology — home to internationally ranked, highly cited scholars — and excavate at historical sites such as Masada, Jerusalem's City of David, Megiddo, and Tel Azekah. 

 

"With archaeology, we can see a fuller picture of society, including the lives of everyday people. It is about telling stories that might otherwise be lost. For me, the journey has been incredible, and I look forward to what lies ahead in archaeology."—Jonathan Steilmann, program graduate

 

Read the full story here 

 

 

Why Study Archaeology Abroad in Israel?

 

For international students, few places offer what Israel does for archaeology: a dense concentration of excavation sites spanning roughly half a million years of human history, from Paleolithic caves to biblical cities to Roman and Byzantine remains, much of it within a short drive of Tel Aviv.

 

• Study archaeology abroad in English in Israel, with access to sites spanning from Paleolithic caves to biblical, Roman, Byzantine, and later remains.
• Gain fieldwork experience every summer through a full excavation season using state-of-the-art field archaeology methods.
• Learn and work side by side with leading TAU archaeological scholars in the field, classroom, and research lab.
• Work across periods and methods in one integrated MA, covering biblical archaeology, prehistory, classical archaeology, ancient texts, and archaeological science.
• Study in English, with no prior Hebrew required, and take an ancient-language course such as Akkadian, Hittite, Ancient Egyptian, or Biblical Hebrew.
• Prepare for PhD research or archaeology careers through a research- and lab-intensive program grounded in hands-on field experience.

 

Academic Track Options

• One year MA in Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures 
• One year International MA in Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures with thesis (an additional year)
• Accredited PhD track

 

The Field Is Our Classroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Institute of Archaeology Research Labs and Faculty

 

TAU’s Institute of Archaeology sits at the intersection of the sciences and the humanities. In our labs, students and researchers work with primary materials from active excavations, including stone tools, pottery, glass, bone, metal objects, and textiles.

Equipped with advanced instruments, the institute develops and applies state-of-the-art methods in archaeological science.

 

Research Labs 

• Ceramic Restoration
• Zooarchaeology
• Archaeometallurgy
• Archaeobotany
• Metal Conservation
• Ceramic Petrography
• Computational Archaeology
• Graphic Documentation Studio

 

The faculty are leading researchers and world-renowned experts specializing in Early and Late Iron Age, Numismatics, Textiles and Pottery; Classical Periods; Maritime Archaeology; Prehistory; Biblical Archaeology; Ancient Languages; Ancient Cultures of the Levant, and much more.

 

Professor Ran Barkai is among the top 100 most cited researchers in his field.

(Stanford Index 2024: ranks the top 2% of researchers based on their work and citation impact)

 

Dafna Langgut (Head of the Laboratory of Archaeobotany and Ancient Environment) and Professor Nadav Na'aman have also been recognized for their outstanding academic contributions.

 

Hear from Prof. Oded Lipschits:

 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can I study archaeology in Israel in English?

Yes. The MA in Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures at Tel Aviv University is taught entirely in English, so no prior Hebrew is required to apply or complete the degree.

 

How long is the MA in Archaeology at Tel Aviv University?

The core degree is one year. Students who choose the research (thesis) track add a second year. An accredited PhD track is also available for graduates.

 

Does the program include hands-on excavation and field school?

Yes, fieldwork is central. You'll spend a summer field season excavating at active sites, then work in TAU's archaeology labs handling pottery, metal, textiles, and other finds straight from the ground. Recent students have dug at Tel Azekah and Tel Moẓa and processed materials alongside faculty researchers.

 

Is this a biblical archaeology program?

The program covers biblical archaeology alongside prehistory, classical periods, ancient languages, and archaeological science. You can specialise in the archaeology and history of ancient Israel and the wider Near East.

 

What are the admission requirements?

Applicants need a GPA above 3.0 (or 80%). Non-native English speakers who did not complete an English-language undergraduate degree submit proof of English language proficiency. Admissions are rolling.

 

How much does the MA cost and is funding available?

Tuition is $12,640 for the one-year program. Scholarships and financial assistance are available. See the Scholarships page for options.

 

What careers follow an MA in Archaeology from TAU?

Graduates pursue PhDs at leading universities, roles in national antiquities authorities, museum curation and research, and private-sector archaeological services.

 

Can I continue to a PhD after the MA?

Yes. The MA's lab and research training prepares graduates for PhD tracks in Israel and abroad.