Its research activities focus on the heritage of the principal ancient civilizations – Greek, Etruscan and Roman - emphasizing the material culture, architecture, art, and everyday life.

Experts of the department took part in an international research team directed by the Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies in Athens on the polyculture site Priniatikos Pyrgos on Crete; realized environmental research in Oxa-Kalos Lakkos region on Crete as well. Students got the possibility to participate in archaeological excavations in Pompei. They also regularly take part in the field project on the Roman site of Mušov where the Roman camp and a massive fortification are researched. From 2018, an archeological and environmental research project runs in the Upper Kurvelesh in Albania; and from 2019, another team works in central Italy – in Montelabate.  

It forges international scientific co-operation with the leading institutions of classical archaeology – Max Planck Institute for Science of Human History (Jena, Germany), Politecnico di Milano (Italy), Aleksander Moisiu University Dürres (Albania), Etruscan Museum „Enrico Guarnacci“ in Volterra (Italy), and others.  

The international aspects of research permeate the teaching in the courses. It is given an opportunity to students, to take part in excavations abroad. The department organises regular semestral cycles of lectures by foreign specialists, students are encouraged to spend part of their studies or a study stay abroad, and excursions to antiquity monuments and heritage are organised.

An inter-disciplinary approach characterizes the studies: alongside the specialized courses, students receive basic instruction in Latin and Old Greek, ancient literature, ancient history, life and institutions, and the mythology of both cultures. An integral part of the study is acquiring practical experience during field prospecting and excavations and the consequent laboratory processing, documenting, and scientific evaluation of the results. A particular emphasis is laid on interlinking cultural-historical development, social-economic structures, and material culture.