Ancient Studies at Harvard brings together faculty and graduate students who study the ancient world. It aims to increase the visibility of the historical, archaeological, literary, and theological engagement with antiquity, broadly understood, from all relevant Harvard departments and divisions—Classics, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (NELC), History, Anthropology, the Committee on the Study of Religion, the Divinity School, and the Law School.

Central to the ambition of Ancient Studies is the fostering of intellectual community. Every term, an external Ancient Studies Visitor offers a lecture and a masterclass. An annual Ancient Studies graduate seminar investigates a theme or topic at the intersection of ancient research. This website also hosts a list of all courses being taught on the ancient world. 

We are pleased to cooperate with Harvard’s Standing Committee on Archaeology and the Initiative for the Science of the Human Past.

Knife Handle in the Shape of the Foreparts of a Dog
Knife Handle in the Shape of the Foreparts of a Dog, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University, © President and Fellows of Harvard College