FLUP is among the first Portuguese universities to adopt the variant of History of Art and Archaeology in the context of the degree in History (1978-79). More recently (1999), FLUP have been the first Portuguese institution to offer an degree independent from History.
In terms of Postgraduate Education, FLUP was responsible for the first Master Degree in Archaeology in Portugal, which started in the school year of 1989-90, with the duration of four scholar years (Portaria nº 722/89, DR, I série, no 194, de 24 de Agosto de 1989) and later on with the duration of two scholar years (Resolução nº 15/SC/SG/93, DR, IIa Série, nº 199, de 25 de Agosto de1993; changed in DR, II Série, nº 92, de 20 de Abril de 1994; Resolução no 109/98, DR, II Série, nº 185, de 12 de Agosto de 1998). With the adjustment to the Bologna process (Decreto-Lei nº 74/2006, de 24 de Março) a curricular structure of four semesters was adopted, totaling 120 ECTS (Deliberação nº 731/2007, DR, II Série, nº 82, de 27 de Julho de 2007). After the analysis of that curricular structure – moved by the changes in the first cycle (the reduction to three sholar years) – the Master was reformulated again (Despacho nº 7923/2011, DR, II Série, nº 106, de 1 de Junho de 2011).

The creation of the 2nd cycle of studies in Archaeology foresees the existence of a Specialized Course followed by the presentation of a Masters dissertation or an Internship with the presentation of an Internship Report. Both are subject to assessment and public discussion by a jury. They will grant the student 120 ECTS and an academic Master’s degree.

Therefore, the syllabus of the 2nd cycle includes specialization and pratical subjects in Archaeology, capable of ensuring a more effective preparation in the graduate student concerning the labour market, as well as seminars regarding the acquisition of competences in scientific research, innovative applications and their disclosing.

The course aims to train archaeologists and civic-minded and interventive citizens motivated to keep learning throughout life and capable of an autonomous professional practice and ethics, based on a theoretical and experimental framework, with different profiles but always generating vocational skills that enable them to perform various tasks in the field of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, particularly in the areas of scientific research, management and planning, intervention and preservation, valuation and dissemination.

The master's degree in archeology aims to develop a set of generic skills and specific skills.

Specific skills:

• to acquire essential conceptual and methodological instruments to understand and to develop knowledge in archeology and cultural heritage;
• to identify past and present scientific paradigms underlying the production of knowledge in archeology;
• to identify past and present scientific paradigms underlying heritage science;
• to know the scientific method and scientific techniques to be used in different situations;
• to experience the practice of archaeology in different domains (survey, excavation, study of materials, etc.), different chronologies and different contexts;
• to know the procedures to prepare a research project in archeology;
• to recognize different forms of occupation and organization of space/ territory in a diachronic perspective;
• to be able to identify (and justify) the chronology and cultural context of a site or of a set of archaeological artifacts;
• to perceive the regional variability of the archaeological record, its meaning and relevance;
• to be able to identify materials and to know how to deal with them in a conservative perspective;
• to be able to evaluate the relative importance of an archaeological remain;
• to know the legal framework of archaeological heritage;
• to know the procedure to trigger a process of archaeological/ heritage inventory and classification;
• to be able to integrate archaeological heritage in planning and land management;
• to act for the preservation, valuation and dissemination of archaeological heritage;
• to enhance the cultural heritage, in particular the archaeological one, as a factor for increasing quality of life and development.

These skills are transversal to all curricular units and can be reached through: the development of a solid theoretical and methodological knowledge; the use of the scientific method; the use of updated literature and diverse sources of information; the direct knowledge of archaeological sites and collections; participation in fieldwork and laboratory activities; self-motivation for constant learning; critical thinking skills, etc.

For scientific and academic issues - contact the course director: marq@letras.up.pt
For administrative questions - contact the Academic Management Office: sga@letras.up.pt

For international mobility students - contact the International Office: sri@letras.up.pt