The detectives of the ancient past
Studying to become an archaeologist ⛏️
Since I was a kid, I dreamed of studying archaeology and ancient history.
I wanted to become an archaeologist some day.
My obsession with archaeology, ancient Egyptian history and Indiana Jones movies in the 80s and 90s was really about going on adventures, being outdoors in nature and the thrill of the ancient past.
It was early signs of deep passion.
“Here before us was sufficient evidence to show that it really was an entrance to a tomb, and by the seals, to all outward appearances that it was intact”
Howard Carter
I still remember being so captivated, reading about how British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team broke the sealed tomb door with a candle light as their only light and uncovered the remarkable tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun in 1922 — a story that sparked something in me.
More than 5,000 artefacts (5,398 to be exact) from the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb have since been moved to the magnificent Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, near the iconic pyramids of Giza.
The Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of Tutankhamun’s artefacts ever displayed in one place, is set to fully open in 2025.
To this day, only 1/3 of the 5,398 artefacts have been displayed to the public, and that changes with the new museum.
Years later, building on that childhood spark of archaeology, I found myself running across the Moroccan Sahara in the Marathon Des Sables, where I came across ancient ksar-like remains—earthen buildings rising unexpectedly in the middle of the desert.
In that moment, sharpened by the physical and mental fatigue of running in extreme heat, my senses caught every detail: the surroundings, the sounds, even the tastes of the air, all more intensely than usual.
I couldn’t help but wonder about the stories behind those ruins—how people once lived their lives there in the past.
Instead of going straight to university to study archaeology, life brought me elsewhere.
Not long after high school, I stepped into a military career that would take me through both the Army and the Navy. Eventually, I became a tactical naval officer and had so many extraordinary experiences and met so many good people. Funnily enough, that path also involved some elements of ancient history when I learned a lot about naval and maritime history.
My military career brought me various adventures and I was fortunate to visit many exciting places like the Faroe Islands, Bermuda, Halifax, Djibouti, Oman, Bahrain to mention a few. In some of these places, I also visited archaeological sites.
Later, I’ve been privileged to work across entrepreneurial and international HR roles in global companies. Latest in leadership, team and organisational development. Those experiences and relationships built over the years have equally been remarkable. And still are. Alongside I’ve stayed updated on archaeology and kept curious.
Latest, I visited good friends in Portugal and had the opportunity to experience the grandiose Conímbriga Roman Ruins known since the 16th Century (see Image 2). What impressed me about this site, among others, was the beautiful mosaic paved area.
Now, at age 45, feels like the right time to follow this lifelong curiosity and dream.
Can you help? Share this blog with a friend who likes archaeological stories.
I have explored many different options of studying archaeology. Among others, I considered local Danish universities, but also US, German and UK universities.
First of all, I wanted to find a university that offered a broad archaeological grounding, the possibility to study archaeology remotely and with a high level of research and teaching quality.
In my search there were few universities that could offer that.
The University of Manchester, UK, offers some quite exciting undergraduate certificates in Egyptology and an MA in Egyptology.
The top archaeology universities like Oxford and Cambridge don’t offer undergraduate and graduate archaeology degrees online.
However, the University of Leicester, UK, kept standing out for its opportunity to study archaeology and ancient history all the way from undergraduate BA to MPhil and eventually PhD by distance learning.
Hence, I decided to apply for the University of Leicester, UK, at the School of Archaeology and Ancient History to study their Archaeology BA (distance learning).
In July, I became a fully registered archaeology student and I will begin my studies in September.
“Archaeology holds all the keys to understanding who we are and where we come from”.
Sarah Parcak
The University of Leicester is ranked 40th among the top universities around the world for studying archaeology according to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a higher education analytics and insights provider, known for its QS World University Rankings in 2025.
Among others, they measure several factors such as employability, research quality, teaching quality etc.
In comparison, the University of Copenhagen is ranked 41st.
So, what is an Archaeology BA all about?
The Archaeology BA, or Bachelor of Arts, consists of a total of 360 UK credits equivalent to 180 ECTS (60 ECTS per year).
The first year of studies will focus on some of the methodologies of archaeology and introducing world archaeology Before the Common Era (BCE) and of the Common Era (CE) as well as Classical Archaeology focusing on Ancient Greece and Rome:
Aims and Methods in Archaeology
Archaeology BCE
Introduction to Classical Archaeology
Archaeology CE
The second year of studies will continue the focus on the history of archaeological thought and different methods to investigate and interpret archaeological evidence. There will be an optional module, where I am currently drawn towards Archaeology of Human Evolution:
Main modules:
Archaeological Theory
Interpreting Archaeological Evidence
Field School (in Leicester, UK)
One optional module from:
Archaeology of Human Evolution
Neolithic, Bronze & Iron Age Britain/Ireland
Archaeology of the Roman World
Medieval Mediterranean
As part of the studies, we’ll take part in a practical week-long field school and have multiple opportunities for hands-on archaeological fieldwork — something I’m incredibly excited about.
The third year of studies will aim at building knowledge and skill sets in research and analysis of core archaeological materials such as stone and metal tools, human and animal bones.
To learn that, as part of the studies, we’ll attend the University of Leicester for a week-long research-focused module consisting of several workshops to build hands-on learning. There will be two optional modules for the third year and I am currently interested in Archaeology of Religion and Belief and either Urbanism or Britain and the Roman World:
Main module:
Research Bootcamp (in Leicester, UK)
Two optional modules from:
Urbanism
Archaeology of Religion and Belief
Archaeology and Heritage
Britain and the Roman World
Plus writing the 10,000-word Dissertation.
So, overall the Archaeology BA will provide a solid grounding in archaeology.
There are so many transferable skills from my varied background — especially in leadership and team development — that I know will enrich this academic and hands-on journey, and vice versa.
Skills like communication, collaboration, critical thinking, analytical problem-solving, and creativity will all come into play.
This is a leap of faith into a childhood dream, and I’m so happy to begin a new adventure alongside my passion for unlocking human potential and driving organisational growth.
My new blog here is called The Little Fieldbook of Archaeology where I’ll be sharing stories and adventures from the world of archaeology and ancient history.
Inspiring with moments on my journey to become an archaeologist, in studies, research and out in the field🏺
Anyhow, I hope you’ll enjoy this space and content. See you soon again…
Best, Christian