Graduating Class of Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology Masters Program at Durham Cathedral marks a pioneering milestone
New Master's Program in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology Completes First Year at Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral recently hosted the graduation ceremony for the first students of the new Master's program in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology, a course led by Durham University. This innovative program, ranked 10th in the world for Archaeology (QS World University Rankings by subject 2023), was conceived and developed by Professor Rebecca Gowland and directed by Dr. Daniel Gaudio.
The program, which offers a blend of theoretical and practical learning, has been designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of forensic anthropology and archaeology. Over the spring, students conducted an excavation of a simulated mass grave at the Durham Botanic Garden, engaging in various aspects of the field, including drafting Expert Witness Statements and defending them in a mock court process.
This year, the students' studies focused on analyzing a group of World War I soldiers discovered in a mass grave in 2022. The goal was to provide identification or at least recover fragments of the history of 12 fallen young men who disappeared a century ago. To further their research, the students traveled to Italy for a scientific project in collaboration with the Heritage Office of Trento and the MUSE of Trento.
Stine Vieweg, a student of the program, highlighted the exceptional educational experience offered by the course, mentioning opportunities like simulated courtroom exercises, weekly lab sessions, and a field trip in Italy. Sierra Perkins, another student, praised the program for providing an amazing learning experience, with a focus on practical opportunities like the mock trial and mock excavation.
Lauren Gill, another student, expressed appreciation for the program's practical experiences, particularly the mock trial and mock excavation. Each student spent the summer working on an individual scientific project for their dissertation, with unique scientific aspects.
The department of Archaeology at Durham University is an inclusive, vibrant, and international community that focuses on research-led teaching and lab-based training. Prof. Rebecca Gowland, the program's conceiver and developer, and Dr. Daniel Gaudio, one of the program's directors, are available for more information.
Interested individuals can explore the Archaeology webpages and undergraduate courses at Durham University for more details about the program. The MSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology course page provides further information about the course. Photos from the graduation ceremony, the mock trial, the excavation at the Botanic Garden, and the analysis of the World War I soldiers in Trento are available for viewing.
