Example archaeology dissertation topic 1:

An analysis of the view of Jacobs (1969, p. 16) that ‘the separation commonly made, dividing the city’s commerce and industry from rural agriculture, is artificial and imaginary’, with reference to Çatal Hüyük.

The site of Çatal Hüyük, a Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlement in Anatolia, was first excavated in 1958 by the late Sir James Mellaart, who also led subsequent excavations between 1961 and 1965. However, the site thereafter lay undisturbed for 30 years as a consequence of the Dorak affair, when he was accused of antiquities smuggling by the Turkish authorities. Nevertheless, during the period of his excavations, evidence had emerged that the area was at the centre of an advanced network of cultures and trade. Building upon such academic opinions and enthused by a personal interest in the area (as a consequence of repeated visits) this is a dissertation that combines practical archaeology with existing learned experience.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Balter, M. (2004). The goddess and the bull: Çatalhöyük: An archaeological journey to the dawn of civilization. New York: Free Press.
• Hodder, I. (2003). ‘A new phase of excavation at Çatalhöyük’, Anatolian Archaeology, Vol. 9, pp. 9-11.
• Jacobs, J. (1969). The economy of cities. New York: Random House.
• Mellaart, J. (1963). ‘Excavations at Çatal Hüyük, second preliminary report: 1962’, Anatolian Studies, Vol. 13, pp. 43-103.