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Program Type: Undergraduate

Minor Requirements: View Requirements

Department: Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy


We offer students a rewarding field of scholarly endeavor that prepares them to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the ancient world, a period of human society when crucial steps were made in constructing the foundations for the modern world. The program offers students an opportunity to learn about a period of human history when the building blocks of contemporary religions, languages, social systems, and technologies were laid down. Students pursue research across such a depth of time through interdisciplinary approach that draws upon a variety of fields, including anthropology, archaeology, art, classics, English, history, philosophy, political science, religious studies, theatre, world languages, and others. There are many ancient civilizations resources in the area near NKU. One prime example is the Cincinnati Art Museum with its collections of art related to ancient Egypt, Far East, Africa, and the Americas. There are more than 150 departments of ancient civilizations (or classics or near Eastern civilizations or Latin & Greek) in the USA and Canada, and NKU is proud to be part of that group. The ancient civilizations minor is housed within the anthropology program in the sociology, anthropology and philosophy department. 

Each year NKU Anthropology presents the Outstanding Student in Ancient Civilization Award.

Program Contacts

Judy Voelker
Landrum Academic Center 217E
859-572-1569
voelkerj1@nku.edu 

Students in the Spotlight

Ansley Cahill

Ansley Cahill

Graduating Year: 2024

Education: Anthropology major, Ancient Civilization minor, Biology minor, History minor, Interdisciplinary Honors minor

Ansley is a very active student scholar. She is currently (summer 2023) conducting a summer research on the development of social relationships in wild olive baboons at the Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project in Laikipia, Kenya under the mentorship of Dr. Monica Wakefield. Her research was funded by Collaborative Faculty-Student Project Award by NKU College of Arts and Sciences (awarded to Dr. Monica Wakefield with Ansley Cahill as named student); and Swarts-Milburn Undergraduate Research Fellowship, NKU College of Arts and Sciences (Awarded to Ansley Cahill).

Ansley is a recipient of Founders Merit-Based Scholarship. In April 2023, Ansley presented an original research at the Committee on Diversity Undergraduate Research Symposium at the American Association of Biological Anthropologists Annual Meeting, Reno, NV. Ansley’s academic performance is outstanding. She currently has a GPA of 3.9, and she has consistently been on the Dean’s and the President’s Honor’s lists since 2020. She is a very active community member.

She is a member of the Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honors Society as well as the Baboon Lab Group (Fall 2022 – present). She also serves as a University Housing Residential Assistant (Fall 2022 – present). She has also served as Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for ANT 202 Biological Anthropology (Fall 2021 & Spring 2022). Ansley is the current Vice-President of the SAPiens Student Society.

In her future plans, Ansley would like to continue working with Dr. Wakefield and the Baboon Lab Group to analyze the data she collects this summer to present at multiple conferences over the academic year. After graduation in Spring 2024, Ansley plans to pursue graduate studies in Biological or Archaeological Anthropology.

Find Your Passions & Build Your Future

Student working at a table filled with excavation samples
  • Co-curricular Opportunities: We offer various opportunities for you to actively engage with faculty and your fellow students through our SAPiens vibrant Student Society, Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society, and Tuath an Ard Tíre Ardaí: The Celtic Studies Club.
  • Internships: Our students have numerous internship opportunities in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area including opportunities with the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Parker Academy, etc. Other internship opportunities include national park services (and their cultural resources diversity program), American Museum of Natural History, Earthwatch Institute.
  • Supportive Learning Community: With organizations and clubs like our SAPiens vibrant Student Society, you’ll find a supportive learning community to help prepare you for success in your academic studies and career aspirations.  
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Financial Aid

A variety of financial assistance is available, from grants to scholarships, loans to veteran benefits.