Who We Are
The Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials (CAAM) is a joint endeavor between the Penn Museum and the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). CAAM offers the facilities, materials, equipment, and expert personnel to teach and mentor Penn students in a range of scientific techniques crucial to archaeologists and other scholars as they seek to interpret the past in an interdisciplinary context which links the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities.
Courses For Penn Students
Open to all Penn students, CAAM courses are divided into three tiers: Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced levels.
Minor in Archaeological Science
The Minor in Archaeological Science consists of six course units. Of these six, four will be CAAM classes from introductory, intermediate and advanced levels; one must be an advanced class with an archaeological science research component (the capstone class); and one must be a class in the archaeology or culture of a relevant area.
Graduate Certificate in Archaeological Science
The Graduate Certificate in Archaeological Science is aimed at students who want to add a scientific approach and interdisciplinary perspective to their studies. The certificate is open to Penn students admitted and already enrolled in a graduate program (Master or Ph.D.). Students from any School or department can apply to the Graduate Certificate in Archaeological Science.
Meet Our Students
Meet some of our current and former undergraduate and graduate students to learn more about their experiences in CAAM and the original research they are conducting in the lab and in the field.
CAAM Intensive Courses
Since May 2017, the Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials offers a series of 5-day intensive courses in the field of archaeological science. They are aimed at graduate students, scholars, and professionals with a background in archaeology or in a relevant field (BA/BSc required). All courses are taught by CAAM Teaching Specialists and Museum staff and are offered on rotation every 2-3 years with the final dates confirmed in the Spring of each year.