Material culture studies are a central theme in our department, reflected in our broad research portfolio and number of postdoctorates and PhDs.In the department there are several staff members whose prime areas of research focus on the analysis of materials. They specialise in ceramics, metals and glass, but also conduct research into stone and other materials. In addition to our main teaching in materials at undergraduate and graduate levels we have also run a number of successful short courses in ceramics analysis.Our research in material culture spans the Neolithic to the early modern period, to the study of production, consumption, classification and analysis and uses analytical, ethnographic and experimental methodologies. We have conducted research in early copper metallurgy, experimental iron production, ceramic and glass analysis and worked extensively with assemblages of different periods and geographical areas. Our current interests centre on British, Greek, and Chinese material. We benefit from excellent microscope facilities and have dedicated materials laboratories.