All upcoming Archaeology programs

The island of Santorini boasts one of the most well-preserved archaeological sites of the Greek Bronze Age. It is often described as the “Pompeii of the Aegean” because around 1600 B.C.E., a cataclysmic volcanic eruption engulfed the island in layers of pumice and ash up to 60 yards deep. It was not until 1967 that systematic excavations began in earnest. Art historian Renee Gondek delves into the ancient site and discusses the colorful frescoes found in many of the preserved structures.

Whether around a campfire, in a café, or in a theater, storytelling is ubiquitous in human culture—suggesting that it has deep roots. It also raises the question of why humans find stories so compelling. Drawing on examples from cave art, archaeologist April Nowell presents evidence for storytelling and narrative in the Ice Age and considers the role it has played in human survival over the millennia.

From the tang of Roman fish sauce to the boom of medieval cannons to the clash of Viking swords, history often neglects the vivid sensory elements that were an intimate part of our ancestors’ lives. Sam Kean draws on his book Dinner with King Tut to reveal how a new generation of researchers are resurrecting these hidden details and pioneering the new discipline of experimental archaeology.

During an extraordinary 4,000-year history, the pre-Columbian civilizations of the Andean world created the earliest cities of the Western hemisphere, stupendous monumental architecture, magnificently crafted artifacts—and one of the most extensive empires the world has ever known, the Inca. In a full-day seminar, George L. Scheper, a senior lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, provides a cultural overview of these achievements.

In the heart of Los Angeles, geologic processes have conspired to create the richest Ice Age fossil site on Earth. For more than 50,000 years, underground crude oil has seeped to the surface, trapping plants and animals in the La Brea Tar Pits—and painting a picture of a lost world that may help plan for a climate-resilient future for the city. Emily Lindsey, associate curator of the site, leads a virtual tour spanning 20 million years from ancient seabed to LA’s modern car culture.

Discover the fascinating world of ancient Egypt in a 4-session series that explores the daily life, culture, and innovations of one of the world’s most influential civilizations. Scholar Shelby Justl of the Penn Museum in Philadelphia draws on the discoveries of ongoing archaeological explorations and experimental archaeology to bring to life the rich history of Egypt and its expanding role on the global stage. This session explores ancient Egyptian food and drink.

Few ruins of the ancient world are more instantly recognizable than the majestic white columns of the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. Historian Justin M. Jacobs provides a comprehensive historical overview of the many incarnations of the monuments on the Acropolis, including some that no longer exist.

Discover the fascinating world of ancient Egypt in a 4-session series that explores the daily life, culture, and innovations of one of the world’s most influential civilizations. Scholar Shelby Justl of the Penn Museum in Philadelphia draws on the discoveries of ongoing archaeological explorations and experimental archaeology to bring to life the rich history of Egypt and its expanding role on the global stage. This session explores ancient Egyptian adornments.

While an impressive example of military fortification, the archaeological remains of Hardian’s Wall offer insight into wider topics of Roman culture. Well-preserved examples of objects from daily life—birthday invitations, military equipment, and religious artifacts—paint a vivid picture of life at the edge of the Roman imperium. Christopher Gregg, a professor of art history at George Mason University, explores the history of the wall and its associated ruins and shares anecdotes from his walk along the wall’s full 73-mile length.

Discover the fascinating world of ancient Egypt in a 4-session series that explores the daily life, culture, and innovations of one of the world’s most influential civilizations. Scholar Shelby Justl of the Penn Museum in Philadelphia draws on the discoveries of ongoing archaeological explorations and experimental archaeology to bring to life the rich history of Egypt and its expanding role on the global stage. This session explores ancient Egyptian women.