Ask an Archaeologist

Have you ever wanted to know what it's really like to be an archaeologist? Do you wonder how we study things that happened thousands of years ago? Then ask an archaeologist!

Archaeologists at the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA are available to speak to K-12 students about their work in the field and answer questions about their areas of expertise. If your group is studying a particular region of the world, you can be matched with an archaeologist who specializes in that area. Many of our researchers also use scientific techniques in their work, from determining the age of a site to preserving artifacts in a museum, and can explore these techniques with students in STEM classes.  And if your group wants to learn more about archaeology in general, we will pair you with an available archaeologist. 

All sessions will take place virtually and can be tailored to the needs of your group. View the available archaeologists below and click here to request a session.

MEET THE ARCHAEOLOGISTS

Available archaeologists

Carly studies pottery, technology, and cultural interaction in Central America. In addition to talking about the Americas, she can discuss ancient Greece, Rome, Early Humans, and Egypt with your classes!

Céline is an art conservator specializing in archaeological and ethnographic objects. She is happy to talk to your class about what happens to objects after they enter a museum and how art, science, and history are all combined in the field of conservation. She can also talk about the kind of questions conservators ask as they think about treatment and some of the problem solving they have to do while working.

Jordan specializes in Egyptian archaeology and material culture. Her research focuses on textiles and fashion, trade, and court culture in the Eastern Mediterranean. She is happy to discuss Egypt, the ancient Near East, Greece, or Rome, or working in museums.

Louise works in Andean archaeology and is interested in ancient empires, ceramics, and textiles. She is happy to talk to your class about the indigenous Americas, ancient India and Early Christianity.

Kellie researches the archaeology of western Mexico, specifically the rise of social differentiation in early classic Mesoamerican sites and the development of household and political organization. She is happy to talk about ceramics, ancient food, and the archaeology of the Americas!

Kirie studies ancient China and Japan. Her research focuses on ancient musical instruments, but she would be excited to talk to your students about everything from the terra-cotta warriors to the origins of Chinese characters!

Matei specializes in Egyptian archaeology and is interested in everyday tools and weapons, especially made out of metal. He is also interested in the role of desert peoples in trade and politics in Northeastern Africa. Matei can talk about Egypt, Kush, African archaeology and Rome's ancient empire in the area of Eastern Europe.

Nick is an Egyptologist who studies funerary archaeology and objects. His research focuses on the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, and how ancient Egyptian pharaohs prepared for their funerals. Nick is happy to talk about Egyptian archaeology, particularly cemetery excavation and mummies, as well as what it is like to dig up an ancient Egyptian house.

Rachel is an archaeologist studying the Roman Empire who is interested in interactions between Romans and non-Roman across modern western Europe, ancient technology, colonialism, and religion. She is happy to talk to your class about Rome and its empire in Western Europe, ancient Greece, and excavating at an archaeological site.

Robyn is an anthropological archaeologist who investigates the sensory world of the ancient Mediterranean. She's particularly interested in the role smell plays in our lives. Though she specializes in ancient Egypt, Robyn would love to discuss ancient religion, daily life, art, writing, and the material culture of ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia, or the Levant. 

Taylor studies the art and archaeology of ancient Rome, in particular the Roman provinces and archaeological photographs. She is happy to talk to your class about ancient Rome, excavating at an archaeological site, or working at a museum.